Description of problem: Preserving extended attributes doesn't work for read only files due to kernel implementation of extended attribute setting (not dependent on file descriptor rights, but real access rights). Therefore if the source file is read only, preservation of extended attributes will fail. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): coreutils-5.97 from RHEL-5.4 ;) How reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. touch a 2. setfattr -n user.foo -v bar a 3. chmod a-w a 4. cp --preserve=xattr a b Actual results: Failure of xattr preservation - access denied Expected results: Extended attributes preserved Additional info: Fixed by http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/coreutils.git/commit/?id=cca83fafa69eb26db458714830b77498b88af8a4 and http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/coreutils.git/commit/?id=fe6f4e305c4ae24c542c460b8abddea648c7e8d1
This request was evaluated by Red Hat Product Management for inclusion, but this component is not scheduled to be updated in the current Red Hat Enterprise Linux release. If you would like this request to be reviewed for the next minor release, ask your support representative to set the next rhel-x.y flag to "?".
This request was evaluated by Red Hat Product Management for inclusion in the current release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Because the affected component is not scheduled to be updated in the current release, Red Hat is unfortunately unable to address this request at this time. Red Hat invites you to ask your support representative to propose this request, if appropriate and relevant, in the next release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
This request was erroneously denied for the current release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The error has been fixed and this request has been re-proposed for the current release.
Technical note added. If any revisions are required, please edit the "Technical Notes" field accordingly. All revisions will be proofread by the Engineering Content Services team. New Contents: Previously, the cp, mv and install utilities were unable to preserve extended attributes on files with read-only permissions. This bug has been fixed and the extended attributes are now preserved correctly.
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on therefore solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2011-1074.html