On Fri, Apr 14, 2000 at 04:22:03PM -0700, Linda Walsh wrote:
> > Hmmm, I don't think I've understood this; how does this differ from the
> > real userid?
>
> Real user can be changed by su or by SUID programs.
I was assuming that the ability to change the ruid would be restricted by
a capability if this was implemented. As for su, I didn't realise it changed
the ruid. I think I need to go back to UNIX 101 and remind myself what the
ruid is actually used for ;-)
[..]
> For example, I'm 'law'. Even though I suid to root on a daily basis, an audit
> trail should be attached to 'law' not to 'root' since I am the real user -- I
^^^^
> just happen to use root as a way of attaining CAPability for some particular
> operation (mount, change system state, install software, etc.)
That's the bit that confused me - why does su change the real user id?
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