boot script execute command as non-root user

wampfler · 12-10-2003, 03:10 PM

boot script are executed as root user (tell me if i am wrong...).
but i would like to start a process from another user for security reasons. how can i do that? i tried to make a "su www" in the script, but then the console hangs....
thx for help!!

RolledOat · 12-10-2003, 03:19 PM

Create the script, stick in /usr/bin,
Make sure the last line of the script contains
exit

then add this to /etc/rc.local
su - <userid> -c <scriptname>

root can change to userid transparently, the -c tells it to execute a command, and the exit in the script will exit the su and the rc.local will continue processing or exit itself. When you su'ed, it did, then was simply waiting for something to do.

R.O.

wampfler · 12-10-2003, 04:47 PM

then i have to make two scripts: one to start and one with the content. isnt it possible in just one?

RolledOat · 12-10-2003, 06:34 PM

No, you append the command to /etc/rc.local
It is a script that is the last to execute regardless of whether you start at runlevel 3 or 5. So, edit the existing /etc/rc.local and add

su - <userid> -c <scriptname>

To the end of it. The only script you need is <scriptname>

R.O.

aqoliveira · 12-11-2003, 11:13 AM

Howzit

u could place the script under the .bashrc which is found in user home dir. Each user has a .bashrc which exec a certain cmds and settings for that user. could place the script in user home dir and under user home dir edit .bashrc file and add path of script in this file don´t forget to add exec perms to script u created with the right ownership.

chow

RolledOat · 12-11-2003, 11:30 AM

agoliveira, that would work, but not at boot, only at login. .bashrc is execute at login, not at boot. I think wampfler wants it to start at boot before login, but if not, then .bashrc is a good place to put it.

R.O.

wampfler · 12-11-2003, 12:49 PM

exactly, i want to start services on a web server, and there is no login with a bash console

jwallace · 09-24-2004, 04:56 AM

Pay attention to use su command, it only works if user you specified after it has an enabled shell!