4.3BSD-Reno/share/man/cat8/rshd.0
RSHD(8) 1990 RSHD(8)
NNAAMMEE
rshd - remote shell server
SSYYNNOOPPSSIISS
rrsshhdd [[--aallnn]]
DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN
_R_s_h_d is the server for the _r_c_m_d(3) routine and, conse-
quently, for the _r_s_h(1) program. The server provides remote
execution facilities with authentication based on privileged
port numbers from trusted hosts.
_R_s_h_d listens for service requests at the port indicated in
the ``cmd'' service specification; see _s_e_r_v_i_c_e_s(5). When a
service request is received the following protocol is ini-
tiated:
1) The server checks the client's source port. If the
port is not in the range 512-1023, the server aborts
the connection.
2) The server reads characters from the socket up to a
null (`\0') byte. The resultant string is interpreted
as an ASCII number, base 10.
3) If the number received in step 2 is non-zero, it is
interpreted as the port number of a secondary stream to
be used for the ssttddeerrrr. A second connection is then
created to the specified port on the client's machine.
The source port of this second connection is also in
the range 512-1023.
4) The server checks the client's source address and
requests the corresponding host name (see _g_e_t_h_o_s_t_-
_b_y_a_d_d_r(3), _h_o_s_t_s(5) and _n_a_m_e_d(8)). If the hostname
cannot be determined, the dot-notation representation
of the host address is used. If the hostname is in the
same domain as the server (according to the last two
components of the domain name), or if the --aa option is
given, the addresses for the hostname are requested,
verifying that the name and address correspond. If
address verification fails, the connection is aborted
with the message, ``Host address mismatch.''
5) A null terminated user name of at most 16 characters is
retrieved on the initial socket. This user name is
interpreted as the user identity on the cclliieenntt's
machine.
6) A null terminated user name of at most 16 characters is
retrieved on the initial socket. This user name is
interpreted as a user identity to use on the sseerrvveerr's
Printed 7/27/90 June 1
RSHD(8) 1990 RSHD(8)
machine.
7) A null terminated command to be passed to a shell is
retrieved on the initial socket. The length of the
command is limited by the upper bound on the size of
the system's argument list.
8) _R_s_h_d then validates the user using _r_u_s_e_r_o_k(3), which
uses the file ``/etc/hosts.equiv'' and the ``.rhosts''
file found in the user's home directory. The --ll option
prevents _r_u_s_e_r_o_k(3) from doing any validation based on
the user's ``.rhosts'' file, unless the user is the
superuser.
9) A null byte is returned on the initial socket and the
command line is passed to the normal login shell of the
user. The shell inherits the network connections esta-
blished by _r_s_h_d.
Transport-level keepalive messages are enabled unless the --nn
option is present. The use of keepalive messages allows
sessions to be timed out if the client crashes or becomes
unreachable.
DDIIAAGGNNOOSSTTIICCSS
Except for the last one listed below, all diagnostic mes-
sages are returned on the initial socket, after which any
network connections are closed. An error is indicated by a
leading byte with a value of 1 (0 is returned in step 9
above upon successful completion of all the steps prior to
the execution of the login shell).
````llooccuusseerr ttoooo lloonngg''''
The name of the user on the client's machine is longer than
16 characters.
````rreemmuusseerr ttoooo lloonngg''''
The name of the user on the remote machine is longer than 16
characters.
````ccoommmmaanndd ttoooo lloonngg ''''
The command line passed exceeds the size of the argument
list (as configured into the system).
````LLooggiinn iinnccoorrrreecctt..''''
No password file entry for the user name existed.
````NNoo rreemmoottee ddiirreeccttoorryy..''''
The _c_h_d_i_r command to the home directory failed.
````PPeerrmmiissssiioonn ddeenniieedd..''''
The authentication procedure described above failed.
Printed 7/27/90 June 2
RSHD(8) 1990 RSHD(8)
````CCaann''tt mmaakkee ppiippee..''''
The pipe needed for the ssttddeerrrr, wasn't created.
````CCaann''tt ffoorrkk;; ttrryy aaggaaiinn..''''
A _f_o_r_k by the server failed.
````<<sshheellllnnaammee>>:: ......''''
The user's login shell could not be started. This message
is returned on the connection associated with the ssttddeerrrr,
and is not preceded by a flag byte.
SSEEEE AALLSSOO
rsh(1), rcmd(3), ruserok(3)
BBUUGGSS
The authentication procedure used here assumes the integrity
of each client machine and the connecting medium. This is
insecure, but is useful in an ``open'' environment.
A facility to allow all data exchanges to be encrypted
should be present.
A more extensible protocol (such as Telnet) should be used.
Printed 7/27/90 June 3