Document that the default option is now no_subtree_check and add a reference to the Subdirectory Exports section. Add a warning to the Subdirectory Exports section that it is possible to also access files on other filesystems based on a previous discussion. Fix a typo in the Subdirectory Exports section. The correct option to prevent access to files outside the subdirectory is subtree_check, not no_subtree_check. Signed-off-by: Philipp Tekeser-Glasz <philipp.tekeser-glasz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> --- utils/exportfs/exports.man | 29 +++++++++++++++++++---------- 1 file changed, 19 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-) diff --git a/utils/exportfs/exports.man b/utils/exportfs/exports.man index c14769e5..39dc30fb 100644 --- a/utils/exportfs/exports.man +++ b/utils/exportfs/exports.man @@ -302,9 +302,9 @@ option can explicitly disable .I crossmnt if it was previously set. This is rarely useful. .TP -.IR no_subtree_check -This option disables subtree checking, which has mild security -implications, but can improve reliability in some circumstances. +.IR subtree_check +This option enables subtree checking, which can have mild security +benefits, but can decrease reliability in some circumstances. If a subdirectory of a filesystem is exported, but the whole filesystem isn't then whenever a NFS request arrives, the server must @@ -325,6 +325,9 @@ filesystem is exported with .I no_root_squash (see below), even if the file itself allows more general access. +For more information about the security implications, refer to the +Subdirectory Exports section. + As a general guide, a home directory filesystem, which is normally exported at the root and may see lots of file renames, should be exported with subtree checking disabled. A filesystem which is mostly @@ -332,19 +335,21 @@ readonly, and at least doesn't see many file renames (e.g. /usr or /var) and for which subdirectories may be exported, should probably be exported with subtree checks enabled. -The default of having subtree checks enabled, can be explicitly +The default of having subtree checks disabled, can be explicitly requested with -.IR subtree_check . +.IR no_subtree_check . -From release 1.1.0 of nfs-utils onwards, the default will be +Before release 1.1.0 of nfs-utils, the default was +.IR subtree_check . +Since release 1.1.0, the default is .I no_subtree_check -as subtree_checking tends to cause more problems than it is worth. +as subtree checking tends to cause more problems than it is worth. If you genuinely require subtree checking, you should explicitly put that option in the .B exports file. If you put neither option, .B exportfs -will warn you that the change is pending. +will warn you that the change has occurred. .TP .IR insecure_locks @@ -578,8 +583,12 @@ however, this has drawbacks: First, it may be possible for a malicious user to access files on the filesystem outside of the exported subdirectory, by guessing filehandles -for those other files. The only way to prevent this is by using the -.IR no_subtree_check +for those other files. +In some cases a malicious user may also be able to access files on other +filesystems that have not been exported by replacing the exported +subdirectory with a symbolic link to any other directory. +The only way to prevent this is by using the +.IR subtree_check option, which can cause other problems. Second, export options may not be enforced in the way that you would -- 2.42.0
