Subject, object, operation and permission

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(Relationship with the same notions defined in the standard literature was clarified.)
m (added an ?hidden? link to an paulgraham article. Please remove it if it doesnt belong.)
 
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'''Permissions''' is a relation that defines which operations on what objects are permitted for particular subjects. One way how to capture permissions is the [[protection matrix]].
'''Permissions''' is a relation that defines which operations on what objects are permitted for particular subjects. One way how to capture permissions is the [[protection matrix]].
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== See also ==
 
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These are standard notions and they are defined in various other places:
 
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* in the [http://www.amazon.com/Operating-Systems-Implementation-Prentice-Software/dp/0131429388/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245137182&sr=8-14 MINIX Book] (Section 5.5)
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject_(access_control)#Computer_security in Wikipedia].
 
== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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* and [[authority]].
* and [[authority]].
Real security audit cannot be performed without determining the [[authority]] of particular '''subjects'''.
Real security audit cannot be performed without determining the [[authority]] of particular '''subjects'''.
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== See also ==
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 +
These are standard notions and they are defined in various other places:
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* in the [http://www.amazon.com/Operating-Systems-Implementation-Prentice-Software/dp/0131429388/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245137182&sr=8-14 MINIX Book] (Section 5.5)
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject_(access_control)#Computer_security in Wikipedia].
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Latest revision as of 15:02, 14 March 2010

We use the terms subject, object, operation and permission consistently with a standard access control literature.

Definition

From a security point of view, we recognize subjects and objects

Subjects are active entities (e.g. UNIX processes) with some behavior. Subjects can designate objects and try to perform some supported operations with them.

What kind of operations can be performed with an object depends on its type.

In general, the set of existing objects and subjects changes over time.

Permissions is a relation that defines which operations on what objects are permitted for particular subjects. One way how to capture permissions is the protection matrix.

Notes

People (outside capability community) often confuse the following two terms:

  • permissions (defined in this article)
  • and authority.

Real security audit cannot be performed without determining the authority of particular subjects.

See also

These are standard notions and they are defined in various other places:

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