Debian Moves To Non-Root X.Org Server By Default

[phoronix]

Phoronix: Debian Moves To Non-Root X.Org Server By Default

Distributions have been working on it for years to let the X.Org Server run without root privileges. This feat has now been accomplished for Debian testing users where if using systemd and a DRM/KMS graphics driver, you can run the xorg-server as a user...

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Debian-Non-Root-X

[dimko]

arm...
I could run X from under my user for many years on Gentoo. WTH?

[darkbasic]

Did you ever hear about setuid?

[Krejzi]

arm...
I could run X from under my user for many years on Gentoo. WTH?

I suppose you don't know what setuid root executable is? You were able to run it as a non-root user because the X binary was setuid root, which is equivalent of running the program as root.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setuid

[duby229]

arm...
I could run X from under my user for many years on Gentoo. WTH?

I believe if you start the server with /etc/init.d/xdm then it does start the server as root.

[MoonMoon]

I believe if you start the server with /etc/init.d/xdm then it does start the server as root.

Believe is for churches, facts count. Fact is that most distributions (including Gentoo) by default start the X server as root, regardless how you launch it (using a DM, using startx, ...).

Some distributions, like Arch and Gentoo, at least provide documentation on how to do it the non-root way.

[duby229]

Believe is for churches, facts count. Fact is that most distributions (including Gentoo) by default start the X server as root, regardless how you launch it (using a DM, using startx, ...).

Some distributions, like Arch and Gentoo, at least provide documentation on how to do it the non-root way.

Apparently you aren't a native english speaker. I admit it's not easy to catch the meaning in a lot of sentences. I didn't say I know, instead I said I believe, which really means I don't know for sure. Maybe I should have said that instead of I believe.

[Ericg]

Apparently you aren't a native english speaker. I admit it's not easy to catch the meaning in a lot of sentences. I didn't say I know, instead I said I believe, which really means I don't know for sure. Maybe I should have said that instead of I believe.

At least I knew what you meant Duby

[profoundWHALE]

Believe is for churches, facts count.

Yeesh, someone is a little touchy.

[CrystalGamma]

Believe is for churches, facts count. Fact is that most distributions (including Gentoo) by default start the X server as root, regardless how you launch it (using a DM, using startx, ...).

Some distributions, like Arch and Gentoo, at least provide documentation on how to do it the non-root way.

I am pretty sure that documentation is outdated ... when I start GNOME via GDM (on Arch), I have Xorg processes running as my own uid and as the gdm user, and no X server running as root.