What's the issue when /dev/null has incorrect permissions?

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • What's the issue when /dev/null has correct file type but incorrect permissions?

This may cause the following problems:

  • Non-standard behavior of the shell with users seeing lots of inscrutable error messages.
  • Shell scripts may fail or function incorrectly.
  • Tools and programs relying on writing (redirecting output) to /dev/null may fail or function incorrectly.
  • Other applications may fail to run or may run incorrectly.

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9

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