Description of problem: Security issues: 1) By default xscreensaver only runs as a regular user, not root 2) xscreensaver does not lock the screen by default 3) screensaver might reveal personal information Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): How reproducible: Steps to Reproduce: 1. Install any RHL or Fedora release with xwindows 2. 3. Actual results: Expected results: 1) although logging into X as root should be discouraged, not allowing the display to be locked is simply crazy. Root should be able to lock his display, preferably just with a blank screen option and not the gazilion others that *might* have a security issue. 2) a default install of RHL or Fedora does not lock the display when the screensaver activates. Default settings should be changed so the display gets locked after 5 or 10 min. If the user does not wish for his display to get locked, he can disable it. Security should be the default, not the other way around. 3) default screensaver selection might reveal personal information on the users desktop when the screensaver was activated, or contained in files on the harddisk. Default screensaver selection should be such that NO personal or system information is revealed. Additional info:
*** Bug 126819 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
1) is discussed in "man xscreensaver" under "Locking and root logins" We'd have to fork from upstream and break the gdm/xdm case to change this it looks like.
2) and 3) seem reasonable to me and should be fixed in rawhide soon.