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sudo (/ s uː d uː / [4]) is a program for Unix-like computer operating systems that enables users to run programs with the security privileges of another user, by default the superuser. [5] It originally stood for "superuser do", [ 6 ] as that was all it did, and this remains its most common usage; [ 7 ] however, the official Sudo project ...
Different operating systems offer distinct methods for applications to identify their security requirements: sudo centralizes all privilege authorization information in a single configuration file, /etc/sudoers, which contains a list of users and the privileged applications and actions that those users are permitted to use. The grammar of the ...
A privilege is applied for by either an executed program issuing a request for advanced privileges, or by running some program to apply for the additional privileges. An example of a user applying for additional privileges is provided by the sudo command to run a command as superuser ( root ) user, or by the Kerberos authentication system.
Sudo command on Ubuntu to temporarily assume root privileges. Most Unix and Unix-like systems have an account or group which enables a user to exact complete control over the system, often known as a root account. If access to this account is gained by an unwanted user, this results in a complete breach of the system.
Modern Unix systems generally use user groups as a security protocol to control access privileges. The wheel group is a special user group used on some Unix systems, mostly BSD systems, [citation needed] to control access to the su [4] [5] or sudo command, which allows a user to masquerade as another user (usually the super user).
The command su, including the Unix permissions system and the setuid system call, was part of Version 1 Unix.Encrypted passwords appeared in Version 3. [5] The command is available as a separate package for Microsoft Windows as part of the UnxUtils collection of native Win32 ports of common GNU Unix-like utilities.
It is also possible to use polkit to execute commands with elevated privileges using the command pkexec followed by the command intended to be executed (with root permission). [9] However, it may be preferable to use sudo , as this command provides more flexibility and security, in addition to being easier to configure.
Privilege escalation means users receive privileges they are not entitled to. These privileges can be used to delete files, view private information, or install unwanted programs such as viruses. It usually occurs when a system has a bug that allows security to be bypassed or, alternatively, has flawed design assumptions about how it will be ...