[Bug 937951] [NEW] An empty Dir::Cache::archives is treated incorrectly and even removes all files in the root folder

[Lekensteyn]

Public bug reported:

>From apt.conf(5):
Dir::Cache contains locations pertaining to local cache information,
such as the two package caches srcpkgcache and pkgcache as well
as the location to place downloaded archives, Dir::Cache::archives.
Generation of caches can be turned off by setting their names to
be blank

Following this documentation, I created /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/30nocache
containing the below line to disable the cache:
Dir::Cache::archives "";

To my surprise, the directory /partial is created and downloaded .deb
files get into / as well as the lock file. Even worse, when apt-get clean
is executed, all files under / get removed!

# apt-get -s clean
Del /* /partial/*

Please fix the documentation and/ or prevent /* from being removed.

Affected versions:
- 0.8.16~exp5ubuntu13 (Ubuntu Oneiric)
- 0.8.10.3+squeeze1 (Debian Squeeze)

** Affects: apt
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

** Affects: apt (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

** Also affects: apt
   Importance: Undecided
       Status: New

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/937951

Title:
  An empty Dir::Cache::archives is treated incorrectly and even removes
  all files in the root folder

Status in APT:
  New
Status in “apt” package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  From apt.conf(5):
  Dir::Cache contains locations pertaining to local cache information,
  such as the two package caches srcpkgcache and pkgcache as well
  as the location to place downloaded archives, Dir::Cache::archives.
  Generation of caches can be turned off by setting their names to
  be blank

  Following this documentation, I created /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/30nocache
  containing the below line to disable the cache:
  Dir::Cache::archives "";

  To my surprise, the directory /partial is created and downloaded .deb
  files get into / as well as the lock file. Even worse, when apt-get clean
  is executed, all files under / get removed!

  # apt-get -s clean
  Del /* /partial/*

  Please fix the documentation and/ or prevent /* from being removed.

  Affected versions:
  - 0.8.16~exp5ubuntu13 (Ubuntu Oneiric)
  - 0.8.10.3+squeeze1 (Debian Squeeze)

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