6.42. pam_xauth - forward xauth keys between users
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## 6.42. pam_xauth - forward xauth keys between users

`pam_xauth.so` [ debug ] [ xauthpath=`/path/to/xauth` ] [ systemuser=`UID` ] [ targetuser=`UID` ]

### 6.42.1. DESCRIPTION

The pam_xauth PAM module is designed to forward xauth keys (sometimes referred to as "cookies") between users.

Without pam_xauth, when xauth is enabled and a user uses the su(1) command to assume another user's privileges, that user is no longer able to access the original user's X display because the new user does not have the key needed to access the display. pam_xauth solves the problem by forwarding the key from the user running su (the source user) to the user whose identity the source user is assuming (the target user) when the session is created, and destroying the key when the session is torn down.

This means, for example, that when you run su(1) from an xterm session, you will be able to run X programs without explicitly dealing with the xauth(1) xauth command or ~/.Xauthority files.

pam_xauth will only forward keys if xauth can list a key connected to the $DISPLAY environment variable.

Primitive access control is provided by `~/.xauth/export` in the invoking user's home directory and `~/.xauth/import` in the target user's home directory.

If a user has a `~/.xauth/import` file, the user will only receive cookies from users listed in the file. If there is no `~/.xauth/import` file, the user will accept cookies from any other user.

If a user has a `.xauth/export` file, the user will only forward cookies to users listed in the file. If there is no `~/.xauth/export` file, and the invoking user is not root, the user will forward cookies to any other user. If there is no `~/.xauth/export` file, and the invoking user is root, the user will not forward cookies to other users.

Both the import and export files support wildcards (such as *). Both the import and export files can be empty, signifying that no users are allowed.

### 6.42.2. OPTIONS

debug

  Print debug information.

xauthpath=/path/to/xauth

  Specify the path the xauth program (it is expected in `/usr/X11R6/bin/xauth`, `/usr/bin/xauth`, or `/usr/bin/X11/xauth` by default).

systemuser=UID

  Specify the highest UID which will be assumed to belong to a "system" user. pam_xauth will refuse to forward credentials to users with UID less than or equal to this number, except for root and the "targetuser", if specified.

targetuser=UID

  Specify a single target UID which is exempt from the systemuser check.

### 6.42.3. MODULE TYPES PROVIDED

Only the session type is provided.

### 6.42.4. RETURN VALUES

PAM_BUF_ERR

  Memory buffer error.

PAM_PERM_DENIED

  Permission denied by import/export file.

PAM_SESSION_ERR

  Cannot determine user name, UID or access users home directory.

PAM_SUCCESS

  Success.

PAM_USER_UNKNOWN

  User not known.

### 6.42.5. EXAMPLES

Add the following line to `/etc/pam.d/su` to forward xauth keys between users when calling su:

    session  optional  pam_xauth.so

### 6.42.6. AUTHOR

pam_xauth was written by Nalin Dahyabhai <nalin@redhat.com>, based on original version by Michael K. Johnson <johnsonm@redhat.com>.

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