Hello,

Currently on the Wayland ML, a bunch of devs are discussing security issues 
[0,1] and the need to restrict userland processes' privileges to e.g., take 
screenshots, act as virtual keyboards or read keyboard events for other apps, 
etc (basically introducing privileged interfaces that require explicit user 
authorisation). We've also been discussing how the introduction of Wayland 
allows for redesigning and securing authentication and authorisation UIs.

This has led me to question the way authorisation and authentication are 
currently done, and to write a couple of proposed requirements for both tasks. 
I'd be very keen on hearing the opinions of various DE developers on a blog 
post I've written [2], that focuses a lot on the infrastructure needs (both in 
Wayland and desktop environments). I'd also like to debate UX aspects of 
authorisation and authentication UIs. As far as I'm aware GNOME Shell 
implements a polkit agent and so relies on the polkit infrastructure for all 
its auth needs. Given the proposals I made (which really are ideas that need 
experimentation and refinement), what would fit within the GNOME way of doing 
things? What's the viewpoint of the UX people in GNOME? Can you spot any 
missing technical (security or UX) requirements in the post? Anything you 
disagree with and want me to review?

Thanks,

[0] 
http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/wayland-devel/2014-February/013359.html
[1] http://mupuf.org/blog/2014/02/19/wayland-compositors-why-and-how-to-handle/
[2] http://mupuf.org/blog/2014/03/18/managing-auth-ui-in-linux/
--
Steve Dodier-Lazaro
PhD student in Information Security
University College London
Dept. of Computer Science
Malet Place Engineering, 6.07
Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
OpenPGP : 1B6B1670
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