sudo versus #
Rashkae
ubuntu at tigershaunt.com
Wed Feb 10 21:11:23 UTC 2010
KAYVEN RIESE wrote:
> It's my understanding that the sudo command basically executes the
> subsequent command as superuser. I fail to see the difference between
> having a # prompt logged into superuser and sudo, other than ensuring that
> you don't make mistakes, unless having the terminal open can allow
> attackers to infiltrate the system? I have been using command line unix
> for a long time. I don't make mistakes. What is the real implications of
> sudo?
In theory, sudo logs all commands... not really of importance to single
administrator systems.
>
> Also, I notice that when Ubuntu gives me those update dialog boxes my root
> password doesn't work to allow the installation to go forward. This makes
> me irritated, because it instead wants my normal user password, which for
> me by design is a weaker password that I use for more things and thus
> could be more easily cracked. My root password is longer and I use it for
> less things. Both are immune to dictionary attack, but it bothers me the
> way this subverts my configuration.
>
The ubuntu gui components use gksudo to elevate privileges. See the man
page, since there is a gconf setting as to whether gksudo uses sudo or su.
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