Description of problem: While logged in as nonpriv user, I ran redhat-config-network from xterm. Graphical display prompts for root password. I entered root password. I closed redhat-config-network, and re-ran from xterm as nonpriv user. I was not promted for root password, however I was able to change my network settings such as /etc/hosts. I tried logging out of my X session, and logging back in. And again I was able to run redhat-config-network and make changes. This behavior was also noticed when running gdmsetup Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): redhat-config-network-1.2.0-2 Red Hat Linux release 9 (Shrike) Linux 2.4.20-9 How reproducible: I reproduce this about 3 times including logging out of my gnome session. about the 4th time i was again prompted for root when running redhat-config-network Steps to Reproduce: 1. log in to gnome as nonprive user 2. Open New terminal 3. $ redhat-config-network 4. Enter root password 5. exit 6. $ redhat-config-network (not prompted for root password) 7. edit or update /etc/hosts from Hosts tab 8. Log out of Gnome and repeat steps 1 thru 7 Actual results: You will not be promted for Root passowrd but you can make changes to privledged files Expected results: see Actual Results Additional info: Permissions for files lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 Apr 8 17:01 /usr/bin/redhat-config-network -> consolehelper -rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 3592 Feb 24 19:10 consolehelper -rw-r--r-- 2 root root 98312 Apr 10 03:01 /etc/hosts
Expected behaviour, see http://www.europe.redhat.com/documentation/rhl8.0/rhl-cg-en-8.0/s1-access-console-enable.php3 which explains how consolehelper uses pam_timestamp to cache authentication credentials.