[Bug 712614] [NEW] getty can't execute a login program with arguments

[Launchpad Bug Tracker]

You have been subscribed to a public bug by Sebastien Bacher (seb128):

Binary package hint: util-linux

/sbin/getty can't run a login program if you pass arguments to the
latter via the '-l' getty optional argument (e.g. in the tty config
file).

how to reproduce:
update any tty config in /etc/init/ , e.g. tty6.conf:

exec /sbin/getty -n -i -l '/bin/login -p -f root' -8 38400 tty6

restart the terminal service: initcl restart tty4

the following error will be logged:

tty6: Can't exec /bin/login -p -f root: No such file or directory

reason: getty is using execl() to execute the login program specified with '-l' option.
fix: use execve(); patch included

One should be able to pass login command arguments to getty. Using a
wrapper to encapsulate login program arguments hides readability and
adds complexity when not necessary.

The attached patch does not alter in any way the existent getty functionality and usage. It just adds what's missing.
The attached patch does not create any security concerns unless getty is explicitly configured in such a way.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.10
Package: util-linux 2.17.2-0ubuntu1.10.10.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.35-25.44-generic 2.6.35.10
Uname: Linux 2.6.35-25-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia wl
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Feb  3 18:27:12 2011
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release amd64 (20100427.1)
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=en_US.utf8
 LANG=en_US.utf8
 LC_MESSAGES=en_US.utf8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: util-linux

** Affects: util-linux (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: amd64 apport-bug maverick patch
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getty can't execute a login program with arguments
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/712614
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