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<!-- The actual name of your proposed change page should look something like: Changes/Your_Change_Proposal_Name. This keeps all change proposals in the same namespace --> | <!-- The actual name of your proposed change page should look something like: Changes/Your_Change_Proposal_Name. This keeps all change proposals in the same namespace --> | ||
= | = Enable pwfeedback in sudo by default <!-- The name of your change proposal -->= | ||
{{Change_Proposal_Banner}} | {{Change_Proposal_Banner}} | ||
== Summary == | == Summary == | ||
This change enables visual feedback for sudo's password prompt by default. | |||
== Owner == | == Owner == | ||
* Name: [[User:Skyeforeverblue|Skye Chappelle]] | |||
* Email: skyeforeverblue@tuta.io | |||
* Name: [[User: | |||
* Email: | |||
<!--- UNCOMMENT only for Changes with assigned Shepherd (by FESCo) | <!--- UNCOMMENT only for Changes with assigned Shepherd (by FESCo) | ||
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* Targeted release: [https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/releases/ | * Targeted release: [https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/releases/f42/ Fedora Linux 42] | ||
* Last updated: <!-- this is an automatic macro — you don't need to change this line --> {{REVISIONYEAR}}-{{REVISIONMONTH}}-{{REVISIONDAY2}} | * Last updated: <!-- this is an automatic macro — you don't need to change this line --> {{REVISIONYEAR}}-{{REVISIONMONTH}}-{{REVISIONDAY2}} | ||
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== Feedback == | == Feedback == | ||
Several (most) of the users in the [https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/enabling-pwfeedback-in-sudo-by-default-on-workstation/132645 Fedora Discussion thread] I made for this agree that this change makes sense, for several reasons: | |||
- ''"''Hmmm, I haven’t thought about this in years — thanks for bringing it up. I think it’s a reasonable suggestion, especially since ''other'' password prompts on the desktop act that way." (mattdm) | |||
- "Even as an experienced Linux user there are times when I’m not sure I’m actually typing the password or not." (bcotton) | |||
- "I think this is a reasonable distro-wide (that is, for all variants) change to consider, since it’s a strange default to not show feedback when typing. There are also implications for remote connectivity: if you don’t see feedback, you cannot tell if your typing actually made it over to the other side and that can result in you inadvertently mistyping." (ngompa) | |||
Espionage724 had some differing opinions: | |||
- "No since nobody else does it." (this is not true; several other distributions, notably Linux Mint, do this by default as well) | |||
- "It can be an option for people that want it, but I don’t agree with it being a default. I believe it to be reducing a good security practice as a minor user “convenience”, and don’t like the idea of encouraging others to reduce good security practices/exposing others to reduced good security practices." (mattdm had earlier said "Also, in 2024, if you are worried enough about someone snooping over your shoulder to gain information about your password length… why are you still using passwords?", which I believe is valid. (Matthew said this before Espionage724 chimed in, but it works as a good response to Espionage724's statement here.)) | |||
Espionage724 suggested an alternative to enabling this by default: | |||
"They could tie it behind a <code>gsettings</code> prop; I already have to mess with my mouse stuff through it with libinput. I’m not too sure how other DEs handle that, but iirc <code>gsettings</code> didn’t throw an error on Plasma 6, and was usable on Xfce also for mouse accel.". catanzaro replied to this with "GNOME is not going to expose a preference for whether sudo should display asterisks when you type your password or not. That’s way too niche.", which is unfortunately probably true. | |||
vgaetera says, "I think we should more carefully consider this change. The silent prompt behavior is consistent for most CLI tools.", which I think is worth considering; however, I still think the usability benefit outweighs this.<!-- Summarize the feedback from the community and address why you chose not to accept proposed alternatives. This section is optional for all change proposals but is strongly suggested. Incorporating feedback here as it is raised gives FESCo a clearer view of your proposal and leaves a good record for the future. If you get no feedback, that is useful to note in this section as well. For innovative or possibly controversial ideas, consider collecting feedback before you file the change proposal. --> | |||
== Benefit to Fedora == | |||
This change will benefit Fedora by making sudo easier to use for both novice and advanced users. It will make Fedora Linux more friendly and approachable for everyone. | |||
== Scope == | == Scope == | ||
* Proposal | * Proposal owner: Skye Chappelle | ||
<!-- What work do the feature owners have to accomplish to complete the feature in time for release? Is it a large change affecting many parts of the distribution or is it a very isolated change? What are those changes?--> | <!-- What work do the feature owners have to accomplish to complete the feature in time for release? Is it a large change affecting many parts of the distribution or is it a very isolated change? What are those changes?--> | ||
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* Alignment with the Fedora Strategy: | * Alignment with the Fedora Strategy: | ||
<!-- Does your proposal align with the current Fedora Strategy: https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/fedora-strategy-2028-february-march-planning-work-and-roadmap-til-flock/43618 ? It's okay if it doesn't, but it's something to consider --> | I think this aligns with the Fedora Strategy because it makes Fedora Linux slightly more usable for everyone, new and old users alike.<!-- Does your proposal align with the current Fedora Strategy: https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/fedora-strategy-2028-february-march-planning-work-and-roadmap-til-flock/43618 ? It's okay if it doesn't, but it's something to consider --> | ||
== Upgrade/compatibility impact == | == Upgrade/compatibility impact == | ||
According to ngompa, RPM should handle this in exactly the way I wanted without much effort. The change will only take effect if someone hasn't modified their sudoers file(s) manually. | |||
<!-- What happens to systems that have had a previous versions of Fedora installed and are updated to the version containing this change? Will anything require manual configuration or data migration? Will any existing functionality be no longer supported? --> | <!-- What happens to systems that have had a previous versions of Fedora installed and are updated to the version containing this change? Will anything require manual configuration or data migration? Will any existing functionality be no longer supported? --> | ||
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<!-- This is an optional step for system-wide changes to avail of. If you would like to build an initial proof of concept of your change and have a member of Fedora QA help you write and/or run some initial basic tests on your code, please email tests@fedoraproject.org and include the link to your change proposal. This step is *optional*. --> | <!-- This is an optional step for system-wide changes to avail of. If you would like to build an initial proof of concept of your change and have a member of Fedora QA help you write and/or run some initial basic tests on your code, please email tests@fedoraproject.org and include the link to your change proposal. This step is *optional*. --> | ||
Do you require 'QA Blueprint' support? | Do you require 'QA Blueprint' support? N (not system wide change) <!-- Optional Step for System-Wide Changes only --> | ||
== How To Test == | == How To Test == | ||
Edit /etc/sudoers, replacing "Defaults !visiblepw" with "Defaults pwfeedback". Run a command with sudo. Your password should be displayed as asterisks in the prompt. | |||
== User Experience == | == User Experience == | ||
This will make sudo password prompts more friendly and consistent with other password prompts a normal user is likely to encounter. This will make it easier for novices and advanced users to use the system. | |||
== Dependencies == | == Dependencies == | ||
N/A | |||
== Contingency Plan == | == Contingency Plan == | ||
* Contingency mechanism: (What to do? Who will do it?) N/A (not a System Wide Change) <!-- REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM WIDE CHANGES --> | * Contingency mechanism: (What to do? Who will do it?) N/A (not a System Wide Change) <!-- REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM WIDE CHANGES --> | ||
<!-- When is the last time the contingency mechanism can be put in place? This will typically be the beta freeze. --> | <!-- When is the last time the contingency mechanism can be put in place? This will typically be the beta freeze. --> | ||
* Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change) <!-- REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM WIDE CHANGES --> | * Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change) <!-- REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM WIDE CHANGES --> | ||
<!-- Does finishing this feature block the release, or can we ship with the feature in incomplete state? --> | <!-- Does finishing this feature block the release, or can we ship with the feature in incomplete state? --> | ||
* Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change) | * Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change) <!-- REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM WIDE CHANGES --> | ||
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== Release Notes == | == Release Notes == | ||
sudo now shows visual feedback for passwords by default. | |||
<!-- The Fedora Release Notes inform end-users about what is new in the release. Examples of past release notes are at https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/release-notes/ --> | <!-- The Fedora Release Notes inform end-users about what is new in the release. Examples of past release notes are at https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/release-notes/ --> | ||
<!-- The release notes also help users know how to deal with platform changes such as ABIs/APIs, configuration or data file formats, or upgrade concerns. If there are any such changes involved in this change, indicate them here. A link to upstream documentation will often satisfy this need. This information forms the basis of the release notes edited by the documentation team and shipped with the release. | <!-- The release notes also help users know how to deal with platform changes such as ABIs/APIs, configuration or data file formats, or upgrade concerns. If there are any such changes involved in this change, indicate them here. A link to upstream documentation will often satisfy this need. This information forms the basis of the release notes edited by the documentation team and shipped with the release. | ||
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Release Notes are not required for initial draft of the Change Proposal but has to be completed by the Change Freeze. | Release Notes are not required for initial draft of the Change Proposal but has to be completed by the Change Freeze. | ||
--> | --> | ||
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[[Category:ChangePageIncomplete]] | [[Category:ChangePageIncomplete]] | ||
[[Category:SelfContainedChange]]<!-- After the change proposal is accepted by FESCo, tracking bug is created in Bugzilla and linked to this page | |||
[[Category:SelfContainedChange]] | |||
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Latest revision as of 13:31, 30 October 2024
Enable pwfeedback in sudo by default
This is a proposed Change for Fedora Linux.
This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.
This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.
Summary
This change enables visual feedback for sudo's password prompt by default.
Owner
- Name: Skye Chappelle
- Email: skyeforeverblue@tuta.io
Current status
- Targeted release: Fedora Linux 42
- Last updated: 2024-10-30
- [Announced]
- [<will be assigned by the Wrangler> Discussion thread]
- FESCo issue: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
- Tracker bug: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
- Release notes tracker: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
Detailed Description
Feedback
Several (most) of the users in the Fedora Discussion thread I made for this agree that this change makes sense, for several reasons:
- "Hmmm, I haven’t thought about this in years — thanks for bringing it up. I think it’s a reasonable suggestion, especially since other password prompts on the desktop act that way." (mattdm)
- "Even as an experienced Linux user there are times when I’m not sure I’m actually typing the password or not." (bcotton)
- "I think this is a reasonable distro-wide (that is, for all variants) change to consider, since it’s a strange default to not show feedback when typing. There are also implications for remote connectivity: if you don’t see feedback, you cannot tell if your typing actually made it over to the other side and that can result in you inadvertently mistyping." (ngompa)
Espionage724 had some differing opinions:
- "No since nobody else does it." (this is not true; several other distributions, notably Linux Mint, do this by default as well)
- "It can be an option for people that want it, but I don’t agree with it being a default. I believe it to be reducing a good security practice as a minor user “convenience”, and don’t like the idea of encouraging others to reduce good security practices/exposing others to reduced good security practices." (mattdm had earlier said "Also, in 2024, if you are worried enough about someone snooping over your shoulder to gain information about your password length… why are you still using passwords?", which I believe is valid. (Matthew said this before Espionage724 chimed in, but it works as a good response to Espionage724's statement here.))
Espionage724 suggested an alternative to enabling this by default:
"They could tie it behind a gsettings prop; I already have to mess with my mouse stuff through it with libinput. I’m not too sure how other DEs handle that, but iirc gsettings didn’t throw an error on Plasma 6, and was usable on Xfce also for mouse accel.". catanzaro replied to this with "GNOME is not going to expose a preference for whether sudo should display asterisks when you type your password or not. That’s way too niche.", which is unfortunately probably true.
vgaetera says, "I think we should more carefully consider this change. The silent prompt behavior is consistent for most CLI tools.", which I think is worth considering; however, I still think the usability benefit outweighs this.
Benefit to Fedora
This change will benefit Fedora by making sudo easier to use for both novice and advanced users. It will make Fedora Linux more friendly and approachable for everyone.
Scope
- Proposal owner: Skye Chappelle
- Other developers:
- Release engineering: #Releng issue number
- Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
- Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
- Alignment with the Fedora Strategy:
I think this aligns with the Fedora Strategy because it makes Fedora Linux slightly more usable for everyone, new and old users alike.
Upgrade/compatibility impact
According to ngompa, RPM should handle this in exactly the way I wanted without much effort. The change will only take effect if someone hasn't modified their sudoers file(s) manually.
Early Testing (Optional)
Do you require 'QA Blueprint' support? N (not system wide change)
How To Test
Edit /etc/sudoers, replacing "Defaults !visiblepw" with "Defaults pwfeedback". Run a command with sudo. Your password should be displayed as asterisks in the prompt.
User Experience
This will make sudo password prompts more friendly and consistent with other password prompts a normal user is likely to encounter. This will make it easier for novices and advanced users to use the system.
Dependencies
N/A
Contingency Plan
- Contingency mechanism: (What to do? Who will do it?) N/A (not a System Wide Change)
- Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
- Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change)
Documentation
N/A (not a System Wide Change)
Release Notes
sudo now shows visual feedback for passwords by default.