Ambient authority
From Erights
The correct interpretation of this page relies on proper interpretation of words: subject, object, operation and permission.
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Definition
IF a subject requests an action, typically by naming an object and an operation on that object, and the action is allowed because the subject has a permission that would allow the action, THEN we say that the subject has ambient authority.
Notes concerning the definition
Instead of "naming" an object, capability community often uses the term "designation" of an object.
Whether we can say that some chosen subject has ambient authority or not is solely determined by the fact HOW are operations allowed or denied. It is independent from the fact WHAT PERMISSIONS a given subject actually has. This matters in case of a term excess authority.
See also
Examples of ambient authority
All UNIX processes run by some user have ambient authority to manipulate all files owned by that user.
All UNIX processes have ambient authority to listen to TCP or UDP ports 1024--65535.
All UNIX processes have ambient authority to send any signal to any other UNIX process.
Acknowledgement
The term ambient authority was coined by Dean Tribble and Mark S. Miller.
