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Problem Report 0568 Details

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This page provides all information on Problem Report 0568.

Report 0568 Actions

    Problem Report Number 0568
    Submitter's Classification Specification problem
    State Resolved
    Resolution Rejected (REJ)
    Problem Resolution ID REJ.X.0172
    Raised 1970-01-01 08:00
    Updated 2003-03-13 08:00
    Published null
    Product Standard Commands and Utilities V2 (UNIX 95)
    Certification Program The Open Brand certification program
    Test Suite VSC version 4.1.6
    Test Identification None/None/None 0
    Problem Summary PG4C.00105 This IR asks for clarification of alternate file access permissions but does not specify any failing tests affected.
    Problem Text
    The text of the -w option for the test command states:
    -w "True if file exists and is writeable. True will indicate only that
    the write flag is on. The file will not be writeable on a read-only
    filesystem even if this flag is set."

    (1) Is "True" to be reported if an "additional" or "alternate" file
    access control mechanism prohibits writing even if the "w" flag is set?

    (2) Is "True" to be reported if an "alternate" file access
    control mechanism would allow the file to be written even if the "w"
    flag is not set?

    The context of this request is a filesystem with Access Control Lists,
    which can give non-intuitive results if a user is basing expectations
    on the historical meaning of "test -w file".

    Test Output
    none

    Review Information

    Review Type TSMA Review
    Start Date null
    Completed null
    Status Complete
    Review Recommendation No Resolution Given
    Review Response
    We recommend this request be refused.

    An IR must include journals and tests associated with the gray area
    in question.

    However, the XBD glossary makes the following statement about file
    access permissions and how alternate file access permissions are
    handled.

    file access permissions

    [...]

    An alternate file access control mechanism will:

    o specify file permission bits for the file owner
    class, file group class, and file other class of
    that file, corresponding to the access
    permissions, to be returned by stat() or fstat()

    o be enabled only by explicit user action, on a
    per-file basis by the file owner or a user with
    the appropriate privilege

    o be disabled for a file after the file permission
    bits are changed for that file with chmod(). The
    disabling of the alternate mechanism need not
    disable any additional mechanisms supported by an
    implementation.

    For the issues raised:

    (1) The "w" flag is not set (returned by stat()) if the alternate file
    access control mechanism prohibits writing, based on the first bullet
    above. The test -w command would return false.

    (2) The "w" would be set (returned by stat()) if the alternate file
    access control mechanism allows writing, based on the first bullet
    above. The test -w command would return true.

    The file permission bits must properly reflect access to the file
    based on the environment in effect.


    Review Type SA Review
    Start Date null
    Completed null
    Status Complete
    Review Resolution Rejected (REJ)
    Review Conclusion
    This request is refused.

    Problem Reporting System Options:

     

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