5.36. Changing Ownership

#### Linux From Scratch - Version 7.10-rc1

### Chapter 5. Constructing a Temporary System

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# 5.36. Changing Ownership

### Note

The commands in the remainder of this book must be performed while logged in as user `root` and no longer as user `lfs`. Also, double check that `$LFS` is set in `root`'s environment.

Currently, the `$LFS/tools` directory is owned by the user `lfs`, a user that exists only on the host system. If the `$LFS/tools` directory is kept as is, the files are owned by a user ID without a corresponding account. This is dangerous because a user account created later could get this same user ID and would own the `$LFS/tools` directory and all the files therein, thus exposing these files to possible malicious manipulation.

To avoid this issue, you could add the `lfs` user to the new LFS system later when creating the `/etc/passwd` file, taking care to assign it the same user and group IDs as on the host system. Better yet, change the ownership of the `$LFS/tools` directory to user `root` by running the following command:

    chown -R root:root $LFS/tools

Although the `$LFS/tools` directory can be deleted once the LFS system has been finished, it can be retained to build additional LFS systems of the same book version. How best to backup `$LFS/tools` is a matter of personal preference.

### Caution

If you intend to keep the temporary tools for use in building future LFS systems, now is the time to back them up. Subsequent commands in chapter 6 will alter the tools currently in place, rendering them useless for future builds.

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