Re: Is SELinux appropriate for my use?

[Tetsuji Maverick Rai <tetsuji.maverick.rai@gmail.com>]

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Russell Coker wrote:
> On Wednesday 17 May 2006 03:33, Tetsuji Maverick Rai 
> <tetsuji.maverick.rai@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I am dubious SELinux is necessary if I use only apache2 with phpBB and
>> other php based web applications.   Am I correct?   I am the only shell
>> user of the machine.
> 
> If an attacker cracks phpBB (which has been done before as you note) then 
> without SE Linux there is no restriction on their ability to try and crack 
> SETUID programs on the system.  When running SE Linux Apache is not permitted 
> to run /bin/passwd and other privileged programs so that someone who cracks 
> phpBB can not go on to attack such programs.
> 

Thank you for your reply.  But I still wonder....

What if apache's permission is set so that it isn't allowed to execute
most commands?    But actually most commands (i.e. even cat, ls) can be
dangerous, because it will display files containing mysql password.   So
does SELinux exist to prevent attackers from executing these "usual"
programs with http server's permissions(role)?   If so, I can understand
a bit....actually I understand this is secure.

And what's more?

I am writing this because SElinux isn't available with my favorite
reiserfs.   I need to use xfs or jfs to use SELinux (I don't like
ext2/3).  If reiserfs is compatible with SELinux, I'm sure I use
SELinux....or I am wondering I should move to jfs...(xfs is too slow.)

Regards,

- -tetsuji
- --
Tetsuji 'Maverick' Rai
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