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ipset: how to run non-root

DISCUSSION Mike Wright 4 participants 5 messages Nov 18, 2006 – Nov 20, 2006

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#0 lore raw

Hi all,

I'm trying to use ipset from a php script on an apache server.

ipset requires root user in order to execute, but the webserver is running as apache. suexec is not a possibility because it won't execute programs with root permissions. It is possible to have a cron job perform the task but that introduces a time delay.

I've tried changing ownership of ipset to apache:apache but that didn't work. Still received the "must be root" warning.

I looked into the source of ipset.c but it seems like the socket() call must be done as root, and I don't know how to hack around that.

Does anybody know how I might accomplish this?

Thanks,
Mike Wright

#1 lore raw

Am Samstag, den 18 November hub Mike Wright folgendes in die Tasten:

Hi!

Quoted 7 lines

I'm trying to use ipset from a php script on an apache server.

ipset requires root user in order to execute, but the webserver is running as apache. suexec is not a possibility because it won't execute programs with root permissions. It is possible to have a cron job perform the task but that introduces a time delay.

Quoted 7 lines

I've tried changing ownership of ipset to apache:apache but that didn't work. Still received the "must be root" warning.

I looked into the source of ipset.c but it seems like the socket() call must be done as root, and I don't know how to hack around that.

Does anybody know how I might accomplish this?

I never used ipset, but you could use a generic trick:
Set the owner of the ipset binary back to root and set the suid bit which will result in the ability for everyone who can execute the binary to do this "as root".

You might want to think about an execution restriction (e.g. via the group) to prevent people who should no fiddle with ipset from doing so.

I hope you have some access control via your web application...

Ciao
Max

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	Follow the white penguin.
#2 lore raw
Quoted 4 lines · Maximilian Wilhelm

Am Samstag, den 18 November hub Mike Wright folgendes in die Tasten:

Quoted 2 lines

I'm trying to use ipset from a php script on an apache server.

Quoted 8 lines
Quoted 1 line

Does anybody know how I might accomplish this?

I never used ipset, but you could use a generic trick:
Set the owner of the ipset binary back to root and set the suid bit which will result in the ability for everyone who can execute the binary to do this "as root".

Excellent! Worked out of the box with no problems.

Quoted 3 lines

You might want to think about an execution restriction (e.g. via the group) to prevent people who should no fiddle with ipset from doing so.

Done! As a paranoid I really like that advice.

Quoted 2 lines

I hope you have some access control via your web application...

https, ip, user

Danke,
:m)

#3 lore raw

You can also try sudo

Quoted 29 lines · Mike Wright
Quoted 4 lines · Maximilian Wilhelm

Am Samstag, den 18 November hub Mike Wright folgendes in die Tasten:

Quoted 2 lines

I'm trying to use ipset from a php script on an apache server.

Quoted 8 lines
Quoted 1 line

Does anybody know how I might accomplish this?

I never used ipset, but you could use a generic trick:
Set the owner of the ipset binary back to root and set the suid bit which will result in the ability for everyone who can execute the binary to do this "as root".

Excellent! Worked out of the box with no problems.

Quoted 3 lines

You might want to think about an execution restriction (e.g. via the group) to prevent people who should no fiddle with ipset from doing so.

Done! As a paranoid I really like that advice.

Quoted 2 lines

I hope you have some access control via your web application...

https, ip, user

Danke,
:m)

#4 lore raw
In reply to Maximilian Wilhelm

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Quoted 24 lines · Maximilian Wilhelm

Am Samstag, den 18 November hub Mike Wright folgendes in die Tasten:

Hi!

Quoted 7 lines

I'm trying to use ipset from a php script on an apache server.

ipset requires root user in order to execute, but the webserver is running as apache. suexec is not a possibility because it won't execute programs with root permissions. It is possible to have a cron job perform the task but that introduces a time delay.

Quoted 7 lines

I've tried changing ownership of ipset to apache:apache but that didn't work. Still received the "must be root" warning.

I looked into the source of ipset.c but it seems like the socket() call must be done as root, and I don't know how to hack around that.

Does anybody know how I might accomplish this?

I never used ipset, but you could use a generic trick:
Set the owner of the ipset binary back to root and set the suid bit which will result in the ability for everyone who can execute the binary to do this "as root".

Quoted 5 lines

You might want to think about an execution restriction (e.g. via the group) to prevent people who should no fiddle with ipset from doing so.

I hope you have some access control via your web application...

better advice would be to leave the bits alone and think of perhaps allowing sudo access if really required, but it should be seriously considered from a security context.

Thanks,

Ron DuFresne
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