Peculiar permission problem


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Operating Systems AIX Peculiar permission problem
# 1  
Old 11-12-2008
Peculiar permission problem

Scenario:
Step 1. I'm logging into AIX server using user id called user1
Step 2. I'm traversing to home directory of user2
Note: This user2's home directory has the permissions drwxr-s---
Step 3. I'm issuing command pwd there. I'm getting the expected output.
Step 4. I'm issuing the command /usr/bin/pwd here. But this time, I get an error saying "Permission denied".
Note: which pwd gives the output /usr/bin/pwd

Question:
Any pointers on why pwd is giving the present working directory name whereas /usr/bin/pwd is giving permission denied error?

Thanks.
# 2  
Old 11-12-2008
What are the permissions on /usr/bin/pwd? If it also has the sgid bit and is in the a different group than the directory, then you are getting the expected result.
# 3  
Old 11-13-2008
Here is the permissions for /usr/bin/pwd

-r-xr-xr-x

Owner and group are bin and bin as listed in ls -l.

For the user2's home directory, the owner and group are user2 and devgrp
# 4  
Old 11-13-2008
I'm not sure how this is happening then. Does /usr/bin/pwd work when you first log in? I guess I would try to find which directory is unreadable bu doing:
cd .. ; /usr/bin/pwd
until it works. This might give a clue.
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

10 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. Linux

Peculiar behavior due to IFS

aa=| echo $aa The above echo works but the below echo fails. Why please? IFS=: aa=| echo $aa echo $IFS The later 'echo' command will work if variable is put in codes. echo "$aa" echo "$IFS" I summarize that when IFS is set to ':' or '|', echo used with variable doesn't work unless... (22 Replies)
Discussion started by: ravisingh
22 Replies

2. Slackware

K3b permission problem

When I set up to backup /home to a DVD I am incurring a problem with K3B ver. 2.0.2 saying I (root) has insufficient privileges to access /home/myuser/hp-check.log file. It also does this to the lost+found files for /home and /opt. I am root and the file/directory has read+write privs for root.... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: slak0
1 Replies

3. UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

Cygwin permission problem

I can't figure out why cygwin won't let me write a file to this directory. Any ideas? $ id uid=1007(jdbaldwin) gid=513(None) groups=513(None),0(root),544(Administrators),545(Users) $ ls -lad . drwxrwxrwx+ 1 jdbaldwin None 0 2010-09-29 12:47 . $ touch x touch: cannot touch `x': Permission... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: jdbaldwin
3 Replies

4. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Permission problem

How would i change permissions for a new directory so that i am the only one who has any access to any of the files created in it (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: trob
2 Replies

5. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

file permission problem

Hello I have situation where with my user id (group x) I am able to view a file. However if su to another user (different group) I am not able to view. I get permission denied. The file has complete wide open permissions -rwxrwxrwx and I can also cd from root to the directory in which the file... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: akumargolf2000
3 Replies

6. Solaris

Permission Problem

I ran the sys-unconfig command and now I can't seem to change the permission on that folder evne though I'm the Superuser(Root admin). I need to fix this so the user 'tommy' can login and have his home directory working. How do I fix this??? http://www3.telus.net/superstar/error.jpg (6 Replies)
Discussion started by: kungpow
6 Replies

7. Shell Programming and Scripting

a peculiar error with sftp

Whenever I sftped a particular gzipped file to a particular directory and then try to unzip it, I get Permission Denied error. With this file even I cannot do chmod. though the file permissions are -rw-r--r-- When same file I sftp to a different location I am able to gunzip it. Directory... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: RishiPahuja
0 Replies

8. Forum Support Area for Unregistered Users & Account Problems

Permission problem

I am having problems editing my options and profile etc. Whenever i do, i am getting a message that says I don't have any permissions. Can u tell me a solution. (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: rockyrak
2 Replies

9. Linux

SUSE9.1 Peculiar Gigabit Lan performance.

I'm having some peculiar performance issues with my Gigabit Lan. I have some 100Mb devices so I can't do the necessary "jumbo Frame" tweaks for absolute optimum performance as I'd prevent them access. I'm getting appauling transfer rates sending files to the linux machine, around 10 Mbps 3%... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: Mark Ward
0 Replies

10. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

File permission problem

I have a crontab job that runs a database backup and directs the output to a log. I ran the job, and the output log file was created with no problems, but now if I try and run the same job again, I keep getting a file exists error. The permissions are: -rw-rw-r-- I also tried changing the... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: jodie
2 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question