Re: Simplify ACL handling for large objects and removal of superuser() checks

From: Robert Haas <robertmhaas(at)gmail(dot)com>
To: Tom Lane <tgl(at)sss(dot)pgh(dot)pa(dot)us>
Cc: Michael Paquier <michael(dot)paquier(at)gmail(dot)com>, Stephen Frost <sfrost(at)snowman(dot)net>, Vaishnavi Prabakaran <vaishnaviprabakaran(at)gmail(dot)com>, PostgreSQL mailing lists <pgsql-hackers(at)postgresql(dot)org>
Subject: Re: Simplify ACL handling for large objects and removal of superuser() checks
Date: 2017-11-10 15:50:47
Message-ID: CA+TgmobeV8M6Rch9LBf8hV3bCSRnJTK9BCbBPnZX5XYSFiUJaA@mail.gmail.com
Views: Raw Message | Whole Thread | Download mbox | Resend email
Thread:
Lists: pgsql-hackers

On Fri, Nov 10, 2017 at 10:34 AM, Tom Lane <tgl(at)sss(dot)pgh(dot)pa(dot)us> wrote:
> I think as far as that goes, we can just change to "Therefore, by default
> their use is restricted ...". Then I suggest adding a <caution> para
> after that, with wording along the lines of
>
> It is possible to GRANT use of server-side lo_import and lo_export to
> non-superusers, but careful consideration of the security implications
> is required. A malicious user of such privileges could easily parlay
> them into becoming superuser (for example by rewriting server
> configuration files), or could attack the rest of the server's file
> system without bothering to obtain database superuser privileges as
> such. Access to roles having such privilege must therefore be guarded
> just as carefully as access to superuser roles. Nonetheless, if use
> of server-side lo_import or lo_export is needed for some routine task,
> it's safer to use a role of this sort than full superuser privilege,
> as that helps to reduce the risk of damage from accidental errors.

+1. That seems like great language to me.

--
Robert Haas
EnterpriseDB: http://www.enterprisedb.com
The Enterprise PostgreSQL Company

In response to

Responses

Browse pgsql-hackers by date

  From Date Subject
Next Message Tom Lane 2017-11-10 15:54:57 Re: Add some const decorations to prototypes
Previous Message Fabrízio de Royes Mello 2017-11-10 15:49:14 Re: [PATCH] A hook for session start