This guide explains the differences between the su and sudo commands, how to create test users, switch between them using login and non‑login shells, employ the -c option, configure sudo privileges via /etc/sudoers, and choose the safest method for privilege escalation on Linux systems.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the Linux su and sudo commands, explaining their differences, usage options such as login-shell and non-login-shell, how to switch users, set passwords, configure sudoers, and practical examples for managing user privileges securely.
This guide explains why the su command is available to all users by default, then shows how to back up the sudoers file, edit it with visudo, define a command alias to disable /usr/bin/su, and apply the restriction to individual users or entire groups, complete with verification steps.
This guide explains why ordinary Linux users need sudo, how to safely edit the /etc/sudoers file with visudo, interprets each field in typical sudoers entries, and shows step‑by‑step examples for adding both password‑prompt and password‑less sudo access for a new user.
When using sudo, Linux resets the environment, causing custom variables to disappear; this guide explains why, shows the relevant lines in /etc/sudoers, and presents three practical methods—including sudo -E, editing env_keep and secure_path, and creating aliases—to retain needed variables.
The article explains the CVE‑2019‑14287 sudo bug that lets attackers bypass root restrictions by using special user IDs, assesses its severity and real‑world impact, and provides concrete steps—including patch installation and sudoers configuration checks—to protect Linux systems.
