What is the correct permission for /tmp directory?

Solution Verified - Updated 2024-12-20T08:16:28+00:00 -

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Environment

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Issue

• What are the correct permissions required for the /tmp directory?
• I changed permissions from the default on /tmp. How can I reset these permissions?

Resolution

• Change the permissions on the directory by running either the following commands:

  # chmod 1777 /tmp
  

  or

  # chmod a+trwx /tmp
  

• For general information on permissions and how to set them see:

  • What are permissions and how do I use or set them?

Root Cause

• The /tmp directory requires special permissions. This directory has Sticky Bit permissions.

• Many applications will show errors or fail if they are not able to write to /tmp with the appropriate permissions.

Diagnostic Steps

• Check the permissions on /tmp, which by default should be:

  # ls -ld /tmp
  drwxrwxrwt   4 root root     4096 Apr  6 04:02 tmp
  

• The 't' at the end of the permissions signifies the Sticky Bit.

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