kppp permission

[itld]

howdy,
when i dial using kppp i have to enter the root password before i can dial, can anyone tell me how to change the permission for kppp so i can dial without get root access?

M.R.

[starX]

I would highly recoomend not doing this, as it is a serious security problem whenever you give global access to a program like that. While you're probably not using a multi-user environment, the possibility of someone gaining access to your system should always be a constant dagger hanging over your administration. In the event someone does get access, better to have critical programs restricted to a single user.

That being said, there a few options available. The first is to find the core set of kppp executeables and move them to a directory you have permission to use, which may have certain problems if it has dependencies somewhere in a sub-directory. You could try using sudo, which is designed to let non-root users dothings as root. Failing these, wvdial is a command line program with a nice interface to your ppp device. You could always get that and install it in a place you have permission to execute (or use sudo).

Good luck.

starX
www.axisoftime.com

[rohit]

very true, StarX. setting SUID is bad at times especially if the program is buggy to overflow exploits and should be avoided .

but the answer to the question is

chmod 4xxx `which kppp`
this will set the 's' superuser bit set

cheers
rohit

[itld]

howdy,
thanks for the solution BUT now you,ve made me nervous.
i imagine typing a password to run kppp is easier than some of the unthinkables that could be created by unknown scum bags using my box.

Thanks

M.R.