rstchown

Description

Indicates whether the POSIX semantics for the chown(2) system call are in effect. POSIX semantics are:

• A process cannot change the owner of a file unless it is running with UID 0.

• A process cannot change the group ownership of a file to a group in which it is not currently a member unless it is running as UID 0.

Data Type

Signed integer

Default

1, indicating that POSIX semantics are used

Range

0 = POSIX semantics not in force, 1 = POSIX semantics used

Units

Toggle (on/off)

Dynamic?

Yes

Validation

None

When to Change

When POSIX semantics are not desired. Note that turning off POSIX semantics opens the potential for various security holes. It also opens the possibility of a user changing ownership of a file to another user and being unable to retrieve the file back without intervention from the user or the system administrator.

Commitment Level

Obsolete