[linux-audio-dev] LL-patch for SuSE kernel?

[Takashi Iwai]

At Mon, 15 Sep 2003 13:05:26 +0200,
Uwe Koloska wrote:
> 
> Takashi Iwai wrote:
>  >>
> >>- what is the reason for starting the init without full 
> >>capabilities?  (to use jackstart, I have to rebuild the kernel 
> >>with all capabilities set for init -- but this was straightforward)
> > 
> >  
> > it's a question of security.
> > in fact, the full capability is dangerous from this perspective.
> > some of last security holes on 2.4 kernel are related with this.
> > 
> > well, in theory, it's possible to enable all capabilities but drop it
> > in the early boot stage by setting via /proc/sys/cap-bound.  but it
> > will be unlikely implemneted.
> > it must be pretty hard to convince security guys to accept CAP_SETPCAP
> > capability as default.
> 
> Is there another (secure) way of using jackd in realtime without 
> making it suid root?
 
note that you still need some suid-root (e.g. jackstart) even with 
capability.

as Paul suggested, sudo is an alternative solution.
it might be more insecure than capability, depending on the
configuration of sudo, though.
(and it can be more secure with a certain configuration.)

> What advice can I give to an unexperienced linux user?

again, this is a question of security, too.
that is, whether un "unexperieced linux user" takes care of security.

if the security doesn't matter, you can set simply suid-root on
jackd and jack-related softwares.
(of course, it would be better on a machine without LAN for such a
solution.)

well, i'm not a security paranoi... expert, so it's just my $0.02.


Takashi