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List:       linux-kernel
Subject:    Re: rootfs exposure in /proc/mounts
From:       Andreas Haumer <andreas () xss ! co ! at>
Date:       2002-10-27 10:21:15
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Jeff Garzik wrote:
[...]
> 
> Bug 1 - don't softlink directly to /proc/mounts :)  embedded guys 
> typically do this, and you see why it bites you in the ass :)
> 

Jeff, this remembers me on some discussion on LKML we had almost 
exactly 2 years ago (look for the thread starting with Message-ID 
Pine.LNX.4.02.10010251043060.5657-100000@rimbaud.xss.co.at)

Do you remember?

My opinion on this issue is still the same:

- Not only "embedded guys" symlink /etc/mtab to /proc/mounts!
   We do this for years now on our diskless workstations, because
   here our root-fs (and therefore /etc) is mounted readonly and
   so there is no way to update a _regular_ "/etc/mtab" file on
   a running system.

- /etc should contain only static configuration information.
   The table of mounted filesystems is not this kind of data.
   It's state information and should live somewhere else.

- the table of mounted filesystems is information which
   the kernel must have, anyway. Why maintain a separate
   file in userspace?

Comments?

- Andreas

-- 
Andreas Haumer                     | mailto:andreas@xss.co.at
*x Software + Systeme              | http://www.xss.co.at/
Karmarschgasse 51/2/20             | Tel: +43-1-6060114-0
A-1100 Vienna, Austria             | Fax: +43-1-6060114-71

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