Hi Egmont,

On 2026-05-23T20:29:14+0200, Egmont Koblinger wrote:
> > Hmmm, there's a problem.  group(5) and gshadow(5) both specify a members
> > list, and if they disagree, we have a problem: which source should be
> > trusted?  One of them?  The union?  The intersection?  Fail if the files
> > don't match?  I don't have a good answer.
> >
> > Do you people have any opinions?
> >
> 
> Some utilities (setuid root or setgid shadow or alike ones, and ones run by
> root to begin with such as login thingies) have access to both files, while
> others (e.g. "id") only have access to the former.
> 
> You want all utilities to see a consistent picture (a noble goal).
> 
> Doesn't this problem have obviously only one solution: rely on the first
> file for as many things as possible? An entry of the shadow file without a
> corresponding entry in the public file needs to be treated as invalid, i.e.
> ignored.

I tend to agree.

A way to view the current behavior would be that there are "secret"
groups, which root doesn't want the public to know.  However, that's
probably not a good idea.


Have a lovely day!
Alex

> 
> e.

-- 
<https://www.alejandro-colomar.es>

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