|
TWikiAccessControl 24 - 12 May 2002 - Main.MikeMannix
|
| |
TWiki Access Control | |
<
< | Restricting read and write access to topics and webs, by users and groups | >
> | Restricting read and write access to topics and webs, by Users and groups | | | | |
<
< | TWikiAccessControl allows you restrict access to single topics and entire webs, by individual user and by user groups, in three main areas: view; edit & attach; and rename/move/delete. These controls, combined with TWikiUserAuthentication, let you easily create and manage an extremely flexible, fine-grained privilege system. | >
> | TWikiAccessControl allows you restrict access to single topics and entire webs, by individual user and by user Groups, in three areas: view; edit & attach; and rename/move/delete. Access control, combined with TWikiUserAuthentication, lets you easily create and manage an extremely flexible, fine-grained privilege system. | | | An Important Control Consideration | |
<
< | Open, freeform editing is the essence of the WikiCulture - it's what makes TWiki different and often more effective than other collaboration tools. So, it is strongly recommended that decisions to restrict read or write access to a web or a topic are made with care. Experience shows that unrestricted write access works very well because: | >
> | Open, freeform editing is the essence of WikiCulture - what makes TWiki different and often more effective than other collaboration tools. For that reason, it is strongly recommended that decisions to restrict read or write access to a web or a topic are made with care - the more restrictions, the less Wiki in the mix. Experience shows that unrestricted write access works very well because: | | | | |
<
< |
- Peer influence is enough to ensure that only relevant content is posted.
| >
> |
- Peer influence is enough to ensure that only relevant content is posted.
| | | | |
<
< |
- Peer editing - the ability to rearrange anything on a page - keeps topics focussed.
| >
> |
- Peer editing - the ability for anyone to rearrange all content on a page - keeps topics focussed.
| | | | |
<
< |
- All content is preserved under revision control.
| >
> |
- In TWiki, content is transparently preserved under revision control:
| | |
-
- Edits can be undone by the TWikiAdminGroup (the default administrators group; see #ManagingGroups).
- Users are encouraged to edit and refactor (condense a long topic), since there's a safety net.
| |
<
< | As a collaboration guideline: | >
> | As a collaboration guideline: | | | | |
<
< |
- Create broad groups (more and varied input), and...
- Avoid creating view-only users (if you can read it, you can contribute to it).
| >
> |
- Create broad-based Groups (for more and varied input), and...
- Avoid creating view-only Users (if you can read it, you should be able to contribute to it).
| | | Users and Groups | |
<
< | Access control is based on users and groups. Users are defined by their WikiNames, an then organized in unlimited combinations under different user groups. | >
> | Access control is based on the familiar concept of Users and Groups. Users are defined by their WikiNames. They can then be organized in unlimited combinations by inclusion in one or more user Groups. For convenience, Groups can also be included in other Groups. | | | Managing Users | |
<
< | A user is created by with the TWikiRegistration form. The process generates a topic in the Main web in the new user's WikiName. The default visitor name is TWikiGuest. | >
> | A user is created with the TWikiRegistration form. The process generates a topic in the Main web in the new user's WikiName. The default visitor name is TWikiGuest. | | | | |
<
< |
- Users can be authenticated using Basic Authentication or SSL. TWikiUserAuthentication is required in order to track user identities.
| >
> |
- Users can be authenticated using Basic Authentication (htaccess) or SSL (secure server). In either case, TWikiUserAuthentication is required in order to track user identities, and use User and Group access control.
| | |
Managing Groups | |
<
< | Groups are defined by group topics in the Main web, like the TWikiAdminGroup. To create a new group:
- Start in TWikiGroups and create a new topic with a name that ends in Group. Example:
| >
> | Groups are defined by group topics created in the Main web, like the TWikiAdminGroup. To create a new group:
-
Edit TWikiGroups by entering a new topic with a name that ends in Group. Example:
| | | | |
<
< |
- Define two variables in the group topic:
-
Set GROUP = < list of users and/or groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and/or groups >
- A variables is defined as a bullet of format
Set NAME = value. A bullet line starts with a multiple of three spaces, an asterisk, and a space.
- The GROUP variable is a comma-separated list of users and/or other groups. Example:
-
Set GROUP = Main.SomeUser, Main.OtherUser, Main.SomeOtherGroup
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines who is allowed to change the group topic; it is a comma delimited list of users and groups. You typically want to restrict that to the members of the group itself, so it should contain the name of the topic. (This prevents users not in the group from editing the topic and from gaining unauthorized membership to the group.) For example, for the TWikiAdminGroup topic write:
| >
> |
- Set Preferences for two Variables in the new group topic:
-
Set GROUP = < list of Users and/or Groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of Users and/or Groups >
- The GROUP variable is a comma-separated list of Users and/or other Groups. Example:
-
Set GROUP = Main.SomeUser, Main.OtherUser, Main.SomeGroup
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines who is allowed to change the group topic; it is a comma delimited list of Users and Groups. You typically want to restrict that to the members of the group itself, so it should contain the name of the topic. (This prevents Users not in the Group from editing the topic to give themselves or others access. For example, for the TWikiAdminGroup topic write:
| | |
-
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.TWikiAdminGroup
Restricting Write Access | | | Denying editing of a topic also restricts file attachment; both privileges are assigned together.
- Define one or both of these variables in a topic, preferably at the end of the page:
| |
<
< |
-
-
Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
-
Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = < list of Users and Groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of Users and Groups >
| | | | |
<
< |
- DENYTOPICCHANGE defines users or groups that are not allowed to make changes to the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
| >
> |
- DENYTOPICCHANGE defines Users or Groups that are not allowed to make changes to the topic, with a comma-delimited list. Example:
| | |
-
-
Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeBadBoy, Main.SomeBadGirl, Main.SomeHackerGroup
| |
<
< |
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines users or groups that are allowed to make changes to the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
| >
> |
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines Users or Groups that are allowed to make changes to the topic. It is a comma delimited list of Users and Groups. Example:
| | |
-
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeGoodGuy, Main.SomeGoodGirl, Main.TWikiAdminGroup
- DENYTOPICCHANGE is evaluated before ALLOWTOPICCHANGE. Access is denied if the authenticated person is in the DENYTOPICCHANGE list, or not in the ALLOWTOPICCHANGE list. Access is granted in case DENYTOPICCHANGE and ALLOWTOPICCHANGE is not defined.
| | | Restricting web-level editing blocks creating new topics, changing topics or attaching files.
| |
<
< |
-
-
Set DENYWEBCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
-
Set DENYWEBCHANGE = < list of Users and Groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBCHANGE = < list of Users and Groups >
| | | The same rules apply as for restricting topics, with these additions:
- DENYTOPICCHANGE (in topic) overrides DENYWEBCHANGE (in WebPreferences)
| | | To allow a user to rename, move or delete a topic, they also need write (editing) permission. They also need write access to change references in referring topics.
- Define one or both of these variables in a topic, preferably at the end of the topic:
| |
<
< |
-
-
Set DENYTOPICRENAME = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICRENAME = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
-
Set DENYTOPICRENAME = < list of Users and Groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICRENAME = < list of Users and Groups >
| | | | |
<
< |
- DENYTOPICCRENAME defines users or groups that are not allowed to rename the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
| >
> |
- DENYTOPICCRENAME defines Users or Groups that are not allowed to rename the topic. It is a comma delimited list of Users and Groups. Example:
| | |
-
-
Set DENYTOPICRENAME = Main.SomeBadBoy, Main.SomeBadGirl, Main.SomeHackerGroup
| |
<
< |
- ALLOWTOPICRENAME defines users or groups that are allowed to rename the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
| >
> |
- ALLOWTOPICRENAME defines Users or Groups that are allowed to rename the topic. It is a comma delimited list of Users and Groups. Example:
| | |
-
-
Set ALLOWTOPICRENAME = Main.SomeGoodGuy, Main.SomeGoodGirl, Main.TWikiAdminGroup
- DENYTOPICRENAME is evaluated before ALLOWTOPICRENAME. Access is denied if the authenticated person is in the DENYTOPICRENAME list, or not in the ALLOWTOPICRENAME list. Access is granted in case DENYTOPICRENAME and ALLOWTOPICRENAME is not defined.
| | | You can define restrictions of who is allowed to rename a TWiki web.
| |
<
< |
-
-
Set DENYWEBRENAME = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBRENAME = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
-
Set DENYWEBRENAME = < list of Users and Groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBRENAME = < list of Users and Groups >
| | | The same rules apply as for topics, with these additions:
- DENYTOPICRENAME (in topic) overrides DENYWEBRENAME (in WebPreferences)
| | | Restricting Web Access | |
<
< | You can prevent selected users and groups from accessing certain webs, by hiding them using restricting read access, or by requiring login. There are two basic methods, one simple, using standard preferences variables to hide a web, but offering low security, and a secure log-in approach that is currently a workaround, involving some minor script and filesystem modification. | >
> | You can prevent selected Users and Groups from accessing certain webs, by hiding them using restricting read access, or by requiring login. There are two basic methods, one simple, using standard preferences variables to hide a web, but offering low security, and a secure log-in approach that is currently a workaround, involving some minor script and filesystem modification. | | | Create Hidden Webs | |
<
< | You can prevent selected users and groups from viewing certain TWiki webs by setting one or both of these variables in each web's WebPreferences topic:
-
Set DENYWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
| >
> | You can prevent selected Users and Groups from viewing certain TWiki webs by setting one or both of these variables in each web's WebPreferences topic:
-
Set DENYWEBVIEW = < list of Users and Groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBVIEW = < list of Users and Groups >
| | |  If keeping a hidden web out of general use is a consideration, you can prevent the all webs search option from accessing hidden webs, by enabling the NOSEARCHALL variable in WebPreferences:
-
Set NOSEARCHALL = on
- It is not recommended to restrict view access to individual topics since all content is searchable within a web.
| |
<
< |
-
-
 This method only works if the view script is authenticated, which means that all users have to login, even for read-only access. (An open guest account, like TWikiGuest, can get around this, allowing anyone to login to a common account with, for example, view-only access for public webs.) TWikiInstallationGuide has more on Basic Authentication, using the .htaccess file.
| >
> |
-
- This method only works if the
view script is authenticated, which means that all Users have to login, even for read-only access. (An open guest account, like TWikiGuest, can get around this, allowing anyone to login to a common account with, for example, view-only access for public webs.) TWikiInstallationGuide has more on Basic Authentication, using the .htaccess file.
| | |  Hiding webs is not very secure, as there is a way to circumvent the read access restriction. It can be useful in certain situations - for example, to simplify site organization and clutter, by hiding low traffic webs - but is not recommended for securing sensitive content. (See the next section for a more secure approach.) | | |
- When a user accesses a web where you enabled view restriction, TWiki will redirect from the
view script to the viewauth script once (this happens only if the user has never edited a topic). Doing so will ask for authentication. The viewauth script shows the requested topic if the user could log on and if the user is authorized to see that web.
- If you enable view restriction for a web, it is recommended to restrict search "all webs" from searching this web. Enable this restriction with the
NOSEARCHALL variable in its WebPreferences, like:
| |
<
< |
- It is not recommended to restrict view access to individual topics since all content is searchable within a web.
| >
> |
- It is not recommended to restrict view access to individual topics since all content is searchable within a web - a search will turn up the "hidden" topic.
| | | Hiding Control Settings
- To hide access control settings from normal browser viewing, place them in comment markers.
<!--
| |
<
< | Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeGroup
| >
> |
- Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeGroup
| | | -->
| | | The SuperAdminGroup
By mistyping a user or group name in the ALLOWTOPICCHANGE setting, it's possible to lock a topic so that no-one can edit it from a browser. To avoid this, you can create Web-based superusers: | |
<
< |
- Set the
$superAdminGroup variable in lib/TWiki.cfg to the name of a group of users who are always allowed to edit/view topics.
| >
> |
- Set the
$superAdminGroup variable in lib/TWiki.cfg to the name of a group of Users who are always allowed to edit/view topics.
| | |
$superAdminGroup = "TWikiAdminGroup"; | | |
- The default setting is not to have superusers.
| |
<
< | -- MikeMannix? - 01 Apr 2002
-- PeterThoeny? - 04 May 2002 | >
> | -- PeterThoeny? - 04 May 2002
-- MikeMannix? - 12 May 2002 |
|
|
TWikiAccessControl 23 - 04 May 2002 - Main.PeterThoeny
|
| | | | |
- Peer editing - the ability to rearrange anything on a page - keeps topics focussed.
- All content is preserved under revision control.
| |
<
< |
-
- Edits can be undone by the TWikiAdminGroup (the default administrators group; see #ManagingGroups).
| >
> | | | |
-
- Users are encouraged to edit and refactor (condense a long topic), since there's a safety net.
As a collaboration guideline: | | |
Managing Groups | |
<
< | Groups are defined by group topics in the Main web, like the TWikiAdminGroup. To start a new group:
- Create a new topic with A name that ends in Group,
SomeGroup
- Define two variables:
- Set GROUP = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
- GROUP is a comma-separated list of users and of other groups:
Set GROUP = Main.SomeUser, Main.OtherUser, Main.SomeOtherGroup
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines who is allowed to change the group topic; it is a comma delimited list of users and groups. You typically want to restrict that to the members of the group itself, so it should contain the name of the topic,
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.TWikiAdminGroup
for the TWikiAdminGroup topic. (This prevents users not in the group from editing the topic and from gaining unauthorized membership to the group.)
| >
> | Groups are defined by group topics in the Main web, like the TWikiAdminGroup. To create a new group:
- Start in TWikiGroups and create a new topic with a name that ends in Group. Example:
- Define two variables in the group topic:
-
Set GROUP = < list of users and/or groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and/or groups >
- A variables is defined as a bullet of format
Set NAME = value. A bullet line starts with a multiple of three spaces, an asterisk, and a space.
- The GROUP variable is a comma-separated list of users and/or other groups. Example:
-
Set GROUP = Main.SomeUser, Main.OtherUser, Main.SomeOtherGroup
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines who is allowed to change the group topic; it is a comma delimited list of users and groups. You typically want to restrict that to the members of the group itself, so it should contain the name of the topic. (This prevents users not in the group from editing the topic and from gaining unauthorized membership to the group.) For example, for the TWikiAdminGroup topic write:
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.TWikiAdminGroup
| | | Restricting Write Access | | | Denying editing of a topic also restricts file attachment; both privileges are assigned together.
- Define one or both of these variables in a topic, preferably at the end of the page:
| |
<
< |
-
- Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
-
Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
| | | | |
<
< |
- DENYTOPICCHANGE defines users or groups that are not allowed to make changes to the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
* Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeBadBoy, Main.SomeBadGirl, Main.SomeHackerGroup
| >
> |
- DENYTOPICCHANGE defines users or groups that are not allowed to make changes to the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
-
Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeBadBoy, Main.SomeBadGirl, Main.SomeHackerGroup
| | | | |
<
< |
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines users or groups that are allowed to make changes to the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
* Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeGoodGuy, Main.SomeGoodGirl, Main.TWikiAdminGroup
| >
> |
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines users or groups that are allowed to make changes to the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
-
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeGoodGuy, Main.SomeGoodGirl, Main.TWikiAdminGroup
| | |
- DENYTOPICCHANGE is evaluated before ALLOWTOPICCHANGE. Access is denied if the authenticated person is in the DENYTOPICCHANGE list, or not in the ALLOWTOPICCHANGE list. Access is granted in case DENYTOPICCHANGE and ALLOWTOPICCHANGE is not defined.
| | | Restricting web-level editing blocks creating new topics, changing topics or attaching files.
| |
<
< |
-
- Set DENYWEBCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWWEBCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
-
Set DENYWEBCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
| | | The same rules apply as for restricting topics, with these additions:
- DENYTOPICCHANGE (in topic) overrides DENYWEBCHANGE (in WebPreferences)
| | | To allow a user to rename, move or delete a topic, they also need write (editing) permission. They also need write access to change references in referring topics.
- Define one or both of these variables in a topic, preferably at the end of the topic:
| |
<
< |
-
- Set DENYTOPICRENAME = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWTOPICRENAME = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
-
Set DENYTOPICRENAME = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWTOPICRENAME = < list of users and groups >
| | | | |
<
< |
- DENYTOPICCRENAME defines users or groups that are not allowed to rename the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
* Set DENYTOPICRENAME = Main.SomeBadBoy, Main.SomeBadGirl, Main.SomeHackerGroup
| >
> |
- DENYTOPICCRENAME defines users or groups that are not allowed to rename the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
-
Set DENYTOPICRENAME = Main.SomeBadBoy, Main.SomeBadGirl, Main.SomeHackerGroup
| | | | |
<
< |
- ALLOWTOPICRENAME defines users or groups that are allowed to rename the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
* Set ALLOWTOPICRENAME = Main.SomeGoodGuy, Main.SomeGoodGirl, Main.TWikiAdminGroup
| >
> |
- ALLOWTOPICRENAME defines users or groups that are allowed to rename the topic. It is a comma delimited list of users and groups. Example:
-
Set ALLOWTOPICRENAME = Main.SomeGoodGuy, Main.SomeGoodGirl, Main.TWikiAdminGroup
| | |
- DENYTOPICRENAME is evaluated before ALLOWTOPICRENAME. Access is denied if the authenticated person is in the DENYTOPICRENAME list, or not in the ALLOWTOPICRENAME list. Access is granted in case DENYTOPICRENAME and ALLOWTOPICRENAME is not defined.
| | | You can define restrictions of who is allowed to rename a TWiki web.
| |
<
< |
-
- Set DENYWEBRENAME = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWWEBRENAME = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
-
Set DENYWEBRENAME = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBRENAME = < list of users and groups >
| | | The same rules apply as for topics, with these additions:
- DENYTOPICRENAME (in topic) overrides DENYWEBRENAME (in WebPreferences)
| | | Create Hidden Webs
You can prevent selected users and groups from viewing certain TWiki webs by setting one or both of these variables in each web's WebPreferences topic: | |
<
< |
- Set DENYWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
| >
> |
-
Set DENYWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
-
Set ALLOWWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
| | | If keeping a hidden web out of general use is a consideration, you can prevent the all webs search option from accessing hidden webs, by enabling the NOSEARCHALL variable in WebPreferences: | |
<
< | | >
> | | | |
-
- It is not recommended to restrict view access to individual topics since all content is searchable within a web.
- This method only works if the
view script is authenticated, which means that all users have to login, even for read-only access. (An open guest account, like TWikiGuest, can get around this, allowing anyone to login to a common account with, for example, view-only access for public webs.) TWikiInstallationGuide has more on Basic Authentication, using the .htaccess file.
| | | Create Authenticated Access By Web | |
<
< | THIS SECTION CONTAINS WORKAROUNDS. Perhaps unconventional for official documentation, but practical, the following method for extending TWiki functionality involves modifying core TWiki, making it essentially not a feature but a hack. Still, it is officially TWiki developer-approved and documented, and will no doubt be included in some form in an upcoming edition of TWiki.
To selectively restrict web access with the security of Basic Authentication, there is a reliable workaround that involves some straightforward code modification:
- Set aside the
view script (rename) and create a view subdirectory in its place.
- In the
view subdirectory, create a separate copy of a modified viewing script for each web, and create .htaccess settings for the restricted webs.
- You can use symbolic links to a single copy of the viewing script to make any script updates that much easier.
Example of viewing script redirect
#!/usr/bin/perl -w
#
chdir '..';
# Adjust SCRIPT and PATH_INFO variables to account for the changed directory
my $web = $ENV{SCRIPT_NAME};
$web =~ s#^.*/view(/[^/]*).*$#$1#; # isolate the path element after "view"
$ENV{PATH_TRANSLATED} =~ s#(/[^/]*)$#$web$1#;
$ENV{PATH_INFO} =~ s#(/[^/]*)$#$web$1#;
$ENV{SCRIPT_NAME} =~ s#/view$web#/view#;
$ENV{SCRIPT_FILENAME} =~ s#/view$web#/view#;
# open (LOG, '>>/tmp/redirect.log');
# print LOG join ("\n", scalar localtime (time ()), %ENV);
# close LOG;
exec ('/usr/bin/perl', '-wT', 'view.orig') or
print <<EOF;
Content-type: text/plain
Error executing /cgi-bin/view.orig: $?
Click the BACK button in your browser and contact webmaster\@bcs-oops.org.
EOF
- (mod by ImmoHuneke? - 16 Mar 2002)
A SECOND OPTION: A less reliable workaround that doesn't involve code changes, but does require renaming a script, can provide the same generally unrestricted viewing access, with authentication only on selected webs: | >
> | Use the following setup to provide unrestricted viewing access to open webs, with authentication only on selected webs: | | |
- Omit the
view script from the .htaccess file.
- Enable the
$doRememberRemoteUser flag in lib/TWiki.cfg as described in TWikiUserAuthentication. TWiki will now remember the IP address of an authenticated user.
- Copy the
view script to viewauth (or better, create a symbolic link)
| | |
- Enable the
$doRememberRemoteUser flag in lib/TWiki.cfg as described in TWikiUserAuthentication. TWiki will now remember the IP address of an authenticated user.
- Copy the
view script to viewauth (or better, create a symbolic link)
- Add
viewauth to the list of authenticated scripts in the .htaccess file.
| |
>
> | | | |
-
- When a user accesses a web where you enabled view restriction, TWiki will redirect from the
view script to the viewauth script once (this happens only if the user has never edited a topic). Doing so will ask for authentication. The viewauth script shows the requested topic if the user could log on and if the user is authorized to see that web.
- If you enable view restriction for a web, it is recommended to restrict search "all webs" from searching this web. Enable this restriction with the
NOSEARCHALL variable in its WebPreferences, like:
| |
<
< | | >
> | | | |
-
- It is not recommended to restrict view access to individual topics since all content is searchable within a web.
Hiding Control Settings | | |
- The default setting is not to have superusers.
| |
<
< | -- MikeMannix? - 01 Apr 2002 | >
> | -- MikeMannix? - 01 Apr 2002
-- PeterThoeny? - 04 May 2002 |
|
|
TWikiAccessControl 22 - 02 Apr 2002 - Main.MikeMannix
|
| | | | | Deny Editing by Topic | |
<
< | Denying editing of a topic also restricts attaching files to it; both privileges are assigned together. | >
> | Denying editing of a topic also restricts file attachment; both privileges are assigned together. | | |
- Define one or both of these variables in a topic, preferably at the end of the page:
- Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
| | | You can prevent selected users and groups from viewing certain TWiki webs by setting one or both of these variables in each web's WebPreferences topic:
-
- Set DENYWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
| |
<
< |
- If keeping a hidden web out of general use is a consideration, you should also prevent the "all webs" search option from accessing each hidden web, by enabling the
NOSEARCHALL variable in WebPreferences:
| >
> | If keeping a hidden web out of general use is a consideration, you can prevent the all webs search option from accessing hidden webs, by enabling the NOSEARCHALL variable in WebPreferences: | | |
-
- Set NOSEARCHALL = on
- It is not recommended to restrict view access to individual topics since all content is searchable within a web.
| |
<
< |
- This method only works if the
view script is authenticated, which means that all users have to login, even for read-only access. (An open guest account, like TWikiGuest, can get around this, allowing anyone to login with, for example, view-only access for public webs.) TWikiInstallationGuide has more on Basic Authentication, using the .htaccess file.
- Hiding webs is not very secure, as there is a way to circumvent the read access restriction. It can be useful in certain situations - for example, to simplify site organization and clutter, by hiding low traffic webs - but is not recommended for securing sensitive content.
| >
> |
-
- This method only works if the
view script is authenticated, which means that all users have to login, even for read-only access. (An open guest account, like TWikiGuest, can get around this, allowing anyone to login to a common account with, for example, view-only access for public webs.) TWikiInstallationGuide has more on Basic Authentication, using the .htaccess file.
Hiding webs is not very secure, as there is a way to circumvent the read access restriction. It can be useful in certain situations - for example, to simplify site organization and clutter, by hiding low traffic webs - but is not recommended for securing sensitive content. (See the next section for a more secure approach.) | | | Create Authenticated Access By Web | |
<
< | To selectively restrict web access with the security of Basic Authentication, there is a reliable workaround that involves some straightforward code modification: | >
> | THIS SECTION CONTAINS WORKAROUNDS. Perhaps unconventional for official documentation, but practical, the following method for extending TWiki functionality involves modifying core TWiki, making it essentially not a feature but a hack. Still, it is officially TWiki developer-approved and documented, and will no doubt be included in some form in an upcoming edition of TWiki.
To selectively restrict web access with the security of Basic Authentication, there is a reliable workaround that involves some straightforward code modification: | | |
- Set aside the
view script (rename) and create a view subdirectory in its place.
- In the
view subdirectory, create a separate copy of a modified viewing script for each web, and create .htaccess settings for the restricted webs.
- You can use symbolic links to a single copy of the viewing script to make any script updates that much easier.
| |
<
< | | >
> | | | | Example of viewing script redirect
#!/usr/bin/perl -w | | | EOF
| |
<
< |
- (Mod by ImmoHuneke? - 16 Mar 2002)
| >
> |
- (mod by ImmoHuneke? - 16 Mar 2002)
| | | | |
<
< | A SECOND OPTION: A less reliable workaround that also requires code changes is available to provide the same unrestricted viewing access, with authentication required only on selected webs: | >
> | A SECOND OPTION: A less reliable workaround that doesn't involve code changes, but does require renaming a script, can provide the same generally unrestricted viewing access, with authentication only on selected webs: | | |
- Omit the
view script from the .htaccess file.
| |
<
< |
- Enable the
$doRememberRemoteUser flag in lib/TWiki.cfg as described in TWikiUserAuthentication. TWiki will now remember the IP address of an authenticated user. 1. Copy the view script to viewauth (or better, create a symbolic link) 1. Add viewauth to the list of authenticated scripts in the .htaccess file.
| >
> |
- Enable the
$doRememberRemoteUser flag in lib/TWiki.cfg as described in TWikiUserAuthentication. TWiki will now remember the IP address of an authenticated user.
- Copy the
view script to viewauth (or better, create a symbolic link)
- Add
viewauth to the list of authenticated scripts in the .htaccess file.
| | |
-
- When a user accesses a web where you enabled view restriction, TWiki will redirect from the
view script to the viewauth script once (this happens only if the user has never edited a topic). Doing so will ask for authentication. The viewauth script shows the requested topic if the user could log on and if the user is authorized to see that web.
- If you enable view restriction for a web, it is recommended to restrict search "all webs" from searching this web. Enable this restriction with the
NOSEARCHALL variable in its WebPreferences, like:
| | |
The SuperAdminGroup | |
<
< | By mistyping a user or group name in the ALLOWTOPICCHANGE setting, it's possible to lock a topic so that it no-one can edit it from a browser. To avoid this:
- Set the
$superAdminGroup variable in lib/TWiki.cfg to the name of a group of users that are always allowed to edit/view topics.
| >
> | By mistyping a user or group name in the ALLOWTOPICCHANGE setting, it's possible to lock a topic so that no-one can edit it from a browser. To avoid this, you can create Web-based superusers:
- Set the
$superAdminGroup variable in lib/TWiki.cfg to the name of a group of users who are always allowed to edit/view topics.
| | |
$superAdminGroup = "TWikiAdminGroup"; | | |
- The default setting is not to have superusers.
| |
<
< | -- MikeMannix? - 20 Mar 2002 | >
> | -- MikeMannix? - 01 Apr 2002 |
|
|
TWikiAccessControl 21 - 20 Mar 2002 - Main.MikeMannix
|
| | | | | Restricting read and write access to topics and webs, by users and groups | |
<
< | Overview | | | TWikiAccessControl allows you restrict access to single topics and entire webs, by individual user and by user groups, in three main areas: view; edit & attach; and rename/move/delete. These controls, combined with TWikiUserAuthentication, let you easily create and manage an extremely flexible, fine-grained privilege system.
An Important Control Consideration | | | Users and Groups | |
<
< | Access control is based on users and groups. Users are defined by their WikiNames, an then organized into unlimited combinations under different user groups. | >
> | Access control is based on users and groups. Users are defined by their WikiNames, an then organized in unlimited combinations under different user groups. | | | Managing Users | | |
- DENYTOPICRENAME (in topic) overrides DENYWEBRENAME (in WebPreferences)
- ALLOWTOPICRENAME (in topic) overrides ALLOWWEBRENAME (in WebPreferences)
| |
<
< | Restricting Read Access | >
> | Restricting Web Access | | | | |
<
< | You can define restrictions of who is allowed to view a TWiki web. | >
> | You can prevent selected users and groups from accessing certain webs, by hiding them using restricting read access, or by requiring login. There are two basic methods, one simple, using standard preferences variables to hide a web, but offering low security, and a secure log-in approach that is currently a workaround, involving some minor script and filesystem modification. | | | | |
<
< | | >
> | Create Hidden Webs
You can prevent selected users and groups from viewing certain TWiki webs by setting one or both of these variables in each web's WebPreferences topic: | | |
-
- Set DENYWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWWEBVIEW = < list of users and groups >
| |
>
> |
- If keeping a hidden web out of general use is a consideration, you should also prevent the "all webs" search option from accessing each hidden web, by enabling the
NOSEARCHALL variable in WebPreferences:
- Set NOSEARCHALL = on
- It is not recommended to restrict view access to individual topics since all content is searchable within a web.
- This method only works if the
view script is authenticated, which means that all users have to login, even for read-only access. (An open guest account, like TWikiGuest, can get around this, allowing anyone to login with, for example, view-only access for public webs.) TWikiInstallationGuide has more on Basic Authentication, using the .htaccess file.
- Hiding webs is not very secure, as there is a way to circumvent the read access restriction. It can be useful in certain situations - for example, to simplify site organization and clutter, by hiding low traffic webs - but is not recommended for securing sensitive content.
Create Authenticated Access By Web | | | | |
<
< | Known Issues | >
> | To selectively restrict web access with the security of Basic Authentication, there is a reliable workaround that involves some straightforward code modification:
- Set aside the
view script (rename) and create a view subdirectory in its place.
- In the
view subdirectory, create a separate copy of a modified viewing script for each web, and create .htaccess settings for the restricted webs.
- You can use symbolic links to a single copy of the viewing script to make any script updates that much easier.
| | | | |
<
< |
- The view restriction is not suitable for very sensitive content since there is a way to circumvent the read access restriction.
- Read access restriction only works if the view script is authenticated, that means that users need to log on also just to read topics. TWikiInstallationGuide has more on Basic Authentication based on the
.htaccess file.
| >
> |
Example of viewing script redirect
#!/usr/bin/perl -w
# | | | | |
<
< | Selective Unrestricted Web Access | >
> | chdir '..';
# Adjust SCRIPT and PATH_INFO variables to account for the changed directory
my $web = $ENV{SCRIPT_NAME};
$web =~ s#^.*/view(/[^/]*).*$#$1#; # isolate the path element after "view"
$ENV{PATH_TRANSLATED} =~ s#(/[^/]*)$#$web$1#;
$ENV{PATH_INFO} =~ s#(/[^/]*)$#$web$1#;
$ENV{SCRIPT_NAME} =~ s#/view$web#/view#;
$ENV{SCRIPT_FILENAME} =~ s#/view$web#/view#;
# open (LOG, '>>/tmp/redirect.log');
# print LOG join ("\n", scalar localtime (time ()), %ENV);
# close LOG;
exec ('/usr/bin/perl', '-wT', 'view.orig') or
print <<EOF;
Content-type: text/plain
Error executing /cgi-bin/view.orig: $?
Click the BACK button in your browser and contact webmaster\@bcs-oops.org.
EOF
- (Mod by ImmoHuneke? - 16 Mar 2002)
| | | | |
<
< |
- There is a workaround if you prefer to have unrestricted access to view topics located in normal webs, and to authenticate users only for webs where view restriction is enabled:
| >
> | A SECOND OPTION: A less reliable workaround that also requires code changes is available to provide the same unrestricted viewing access, with authentication required only on selected webs: | | |
-
- Omit the
view script from the .htaccess file.
| |
<
< |
-
- Enable the
$doRememberRemoteUser flag in lib/TWiki.cfg as described in TWikiUserAuthentication. TWiki will now remember the IP address of an authenticated user.
- Copy the
view script to viewauth (or better, create a symbolic link)
- Add
viewauth to the list of authenticated scripts in the .htaccess file.
| >
> |
- Enable the
$doRememberRemoteUser flag in lib/TWiki.cfg as described in TWikiUserAuthentication. TWiki will now remember the IP address of an authenticated user. 1. Copy the view script to viewauth (or better, create a symbolic link) 1. Add viewauth to the list of authenticated scripts in the .htaccess file.
| | |
-
-
- When a user accesses a web where you enabled view restriction, TWiki will redirect from the
view script to the viewauth script once (this happens only if the user has never edited a topic). Doing so will ask for authentication. The viewauth script shows the requested topic if the user could log on and if the user is authorized to see that web.
- If you enable view restriction for a web, it is recommended to restrict search "all webs" from searching this web. Enable this restriction with the
NOSEARCHALL variable in its WebPreferences, like:
| | |
- The default setting is not to have superusers.
| |
<
< | -- MikeMannix? - 02 Dec 2001 | >
> | -- MikeMannix? - 20 Mar 2002 |
|
|
TWikiAccessControl 20 - 02 Dec 2001 - Main.MikeMannix
|
| | | | | Managing Groups
Groups are defined by group topics in the Main web, like the TWikiAdminGroup. To start a new group: | |
<
< |
- Create a new topic with A name that ends in Group,
SomeGroup
| >
> |
- Create a new topic with A name that ends in Group,
SomeGroup
| | |
- Define two variables:
- Set GROUP = < list of users and groups >
- Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = < list of users and groups >
| |
<
< |
-
- GROUP is a comma-separated list of users and of other groups:
* Set GROUP = Main.SomeUser, Main.OtherUser, Main.SomeOtherGroup
| >
> |
- GROUP is a comma-separated list of users and of other groups:
Set GROUP = Main.SomeUser, Main.OtherUser, Main.SomeOtherGroup
| | | | |
<
< |
-
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines who is allowed to change the group topic; it is a comma delimited list of users and groups. You typically want to restrict that to the members of the group itself, so it should contain the name of the topic,
* Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.TWikiAdminGroup
for the TWikiAdminGroup topic. (This prevents users not in the group from editing the topic and from gaining unauthorized membership to the group.)
| >
> |
- ALLOWTOPICCHANGE defines who is allowed to change the group topic; it is a comma delimited list of users and groups. You typically want to restrict that to the members of the group itself, so it should contain the name of the topic,
Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.TWikiAdminGroup
for the TWikiAdminGroup topic. (This prevents users not in the group from editing the topic and from gaining unauthorized membership to the group.)
| | | Restricting Write Access | | |
-
-
-
- It is not recommended to restrict view access to individual topics since all content is searchable within a web.
| |
>
> | Hiding Control Settings
- To hide access control settings from normal browser viewing, place them in comment markers.
<!--
Set DENYTOPICCHANGE = Main.SomeGroup
-->
| | |
The SuperAdminGroup | | |
- The default setting is not to have superusers.
| |
<
< | -- PeterThoeny - 16 Mar 2001
-- AndreaSterbini? - 11 Apr 2001
| >
> | -- MikeMannix? - 02 Dec 2001 |
|
| Revision 24 | r24 - 12 May 2002 - 11:34:00 - MikeMannix? |
| Revision 23 | r23 - 04 May 2002 - 06:57:54 - PeterThoeny? |
| Revision 22 | r22 - 02 Apr 2002 - 00:04:19 - MikeMannix? |
| Revision 21 | r21 - 20 Mar 2002 - 11:15:44 - MikeMannix? |
| Revision 20 | r20 - 02 Dec 2001 - 09:02:00 - MikeMannix? |
| Revision 19 | r19 - 16 Sep 2001 - 05:09:03 - MikeMannix? |
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All material marked as authored by Eben Moglen is available under the license terms CC-BY-SA version 4.
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