PSA: Spoof protection in /etc/host.conf
by upnort from LinuxQuestions.org on (#5EGVW)
With my initial steps with testing updating 14.2 to 15 (not a fresh install), I am seeing stderr messages about my /etc/host.conf file. I have the following options in the file:
nospoof on
spoofalert on
spoof warn
Searching the web indicates the spoof options are not supported in the glibc resolver libraries. The 14.2 man page indicates the options were introduced in glibc 2.0.7 but never implemented. The Current man page indicates support for the options was removed after glibc 2.24. The glibc change log confirms the host.conf spoof code was removed 2016-12-27.
Based on that information, whether using an older host.conf file or updating to Current from 14.2, those host.conf options never were useful. The options are harmless in 14.2 but will create stderr spew in Current.
Yeah, I haven't touched my host.conf file in many years.
None of this is a show stopper. Just trying to help others.


nospoof on
spoofalert on
spoof warn
Searching the web indicates the spoof options are not supported in the glibc resolver libraries. The 14.2 man page indicates the options were introduced in glibc 2.0.7 but never implemented. The Current man page indicates support for the options was removed after glibc 2.24. The glibc change log confirms the host.conf spoof code was removed 2016-12-27.
Based on that information, whether using an older host.conf file or updating to Current from 14.2, those host.conf options never were useful. The options are harmless in 14.2 but will create stderr spew in Current.
Yeah, I haven't touched my host.conf file in many years.
None of this is a show stopper. Just trying to help others.