[CALUG] Strange log file permissions

[Bryan Breen]

If I'm not mistaken, a file that has a number for the user and/or group 
entry in it's file listing means that it belongs to a user/group ID that 
does not have a corresponding entry in the /etc/passwd and /etc/groups 
file (as appropriate). Perhaps the entries were removed after the file 
was created, or when the file was created an incorrect value was given 
for those entries. Such things can quite possible just come about as a 
result of a messed up install or upgrade attempt.

But that doesn't matter, they just want control of that file back, right?

You say you can not change the permissions on the file as root. Have you 
tried changing the owner/group to root/root first? After that, you may 
then be able to effect the permissions.

- Bryan


Steve Gregory wrote:
> One of my clients has a server with some very strange permissions. 
> /var/log/cups/access_log does not have any root permissions and has a 
> long number as its user and group. I am not able to change the 
> permissions as root, nor will a weekly rotate work. I have suggested to 
> the client that the server needs to be rebuilt, since there might be the 
> possibility that the machine was rooted. He would like a second opinion. 
> Any thoughts?
> 
> Steve
> 
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-- 

Bryan C. Breen
MODIS Instrument Operations Team
Senior Programmer/Analyst & Engineer
Code: 614.5 Employer: STG, Inc

East Campus, Building 32, Office S234
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt MD  20771

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Bryan.C.Breen.1 at gsfc.nasa.gov (E-mail)
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