Can't edit file after `chattr +i`

ubuntu permissions hosts

6,439

Solution 1

chattr -i will remove immutability, then you can chattr +i it again afterwards.

EDIT

Based on your lsattr output, you've also set "append-only". Clear that as well (chattr -a).

Solution 2

I guess you have (accidentally|purposely) made your /etc immutable as well. Try chattr -i /etc as well. If that was not the case, please fill your question more. Give us stat /etc and stat /etc/hosts as well as lsattr /etc/hosts.

Can you modify any other file under /etc?

EDIT after your own edit: You have a attribute set for /etc/hosts. That means you can only append to that file, every other write operation is denied. Try chattr -a /etc/hosts.

Solution 3

The a attribute makes your file append-only, use chattr -a to remove it. See man 1 chattr to see what all other attribute flags are are.

6,439

fl00r

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

fl00r almost 2 years
After
```
chattr +i /etc/hosts
```
I can't edit this file (obviously). But how can I revert it back. I need to edit this file and then lock again.

UPD
```
ls -l /etc/hosts
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 274 2011-06-09 14:14 /etc/hosts
```
UPD 2
```
lsattr /etc/hosts
-----a-----------e- /etc/hosts
```
UPD 3

Thanx, @womble, I've removed a attribute
```
chattr -a /etc/hosts
```
- fl00r almost 13 years
  
  @womble Operation is denied is my translation of error from my localization.
- womble almost 13 years
  
  Please don't do your own translations; get error messages in the C locale and post them directly -- exact wording can be critical in diagnosing what's gone wrong.
- fl00r almost 13 years
  
  @womble, Thank you! I don't know how can I switch locale for only one command (it is system-wide). I can switch to English in whole system only.
- womble almost 13 years
  
  LANG=C <command> will do it.
- fl00r almost 13 years
  
  Operation not permitted
fl00r almost 13 years

and what if not? It is still denied to edit. I've tried it already before I wrote my question. Looks like something is messed in permissions to this file.
Janne Pikkarainen almost 13 years

Did you edit it as root? Or, as in the world of Ubuntu, sudo <yourtexteditor> /etc/hosts?
fl00r almost 13 years

@Janne Pikkarainen yep of course :). But it still throws an error Operation is denied.
womble almost 13 years

Add more info to your question, not comments. Also, if you've already tried that, why didn't you mention it in your question?
fl00r almost 13 years

QUestion is updated. I can edit other files
fl00r almost 13 years

@womble, done :)
Janne Pikkarainen almost 13 years

And my answer is edited, too.
Janne Pikkarainen almost 13 years

fl00r: Don't be shy, we can all guess how it happened. Enough administrative beer and a willingness to harden your server can lead to interesting situations.