GNU bug report logs - #19731
24.4; /dev/null is deleted by tramp-sh.el

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Message #29 received at 19731 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: crocket <crockabiscuit <at> gmail.com>
To: Michael Albinus <michael.albinus <at> gmx.de>
Cc: 19731 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#19731: 24.4; /dev/null is deleted by tramp-sh.el
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2015 23:18:55 +0900

Bash guys hate to see HISTFILE set to /dev/null, and they say it is
stupid to do so.
In their mind, setting HISTFILE to /dev/null or any other character
device leads to vulnerabilities for now.
However, they are willing to deal with the HISTFILE issue because bash
shouldn't delete /dev/null in any case.

If bash guys consider it as a vulnerability, I think it is wise for
emacs guys to avoid it on their side.

On Mon, Feb 2, 2015 at 10:04 PM, Michael Albinus <michael.albinus <at> gmx.de> wrote:
> crocket <crockabiscuit <at> gmail.com> writes:
>
>> You shouldn't set HISTFILE to /dev/null in the first place.
>
> Well, I'm kind of conservative. Setting HISTFILE to /dev/null is the
> default for years, and your report is the first one about this problem.
>
> I wouldn't say that we shouldn't change it, but it needs more
> compatibility tests for supported shells. This could be any bournish
> shell, even very old ones. Also all flavors of busybox, etc pp.
>
> Best regards, Michael.

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