[LUAU] System Admin for regular users

[bbraun at sparcy.synack.net]

On Monday, Nov 1998 at 19:18:48 Shawn Evans wrote: 
 | Everyone,
 | 
 |    I have a slight problem.  I have many laptop systems running Redhat
 | 4.2 (depended on because of software using 4.2) and I need a way for a
 | basic user to administer some basics without becoming SU.  All the user
 | needs to be able to do is:
 | 
 | 1.  Change local IP Address
 | 2.  Change other peoples ip's in their own /etc/hosts
 | 3.  Change printer
 | 4.  Clear printer queue

 Hmm.  Nope, I am not aware of any existing tools to do what you want.
 However, I've whipped up a quick Python tool that will do at least 
 numbers 1,2, and 4.  It is Tk based GUI.  You must have a Tk enabled
 python to make it work(debian has it by default, slackware does not,
 dunno about redhat).  It's at:
 http://synack.net/simpadm

 Beware: I whipped this up in a few minutes, after midnight my time,
 and right before I go on a trip that will take me through LA, SanDiego,
 and Boston in 3 days.  It is simplistic, non multithread safe, and
 is vulnerable to symlink attacks.  these can be fixed, maybe if
 someone finds it useful.

 Notes on usage: The script does what it says when you press return,
 _for each field_.  For example, when you enter the IP address, 
 and press return, it will change the ip right when you press return.
 Also, IP changes are not persistent accross reboots right now.
 This can also be read as it does not change startup scripts.

 If you find this even remotely useful, let me know.  I can make 
 changes and improvements as requested.  Also, its a python script
 so someone else can make changes if they so desire.

 I tried using this as sudo simpadm.  Didn't try setuid execution.
 You can set in the sudoers file for them to only be able to execute
 specific commands as root.

 Rob