From 23b01883a9559e9b742906bab1e707a48b5b84f8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dan Langille Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:43:12 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Add a section on Security Considations when backing up the Bacula database. Refer to this section from the Tips page. --- docs/manual/catmaintenance.tex | 29 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ docs/manual/tips.tex | 5 +++++ 2 files changed, 34 insertions(+) diff --git a/docs/manual/catmaintenance.tex b/docs/manual/catmaintenance.tex index 3c03058f..2fd11477 100644 --- a/docs/manual/catmaintenance.tex +++ b/docs/manual/catmaintenance.tex @@ -586,6 +586,8 @@ Job { Storage = DLTDrive Messages = Standard Pool = Default + # WARNING!!! Passing the password via the command line is insecure. + # see comments in make_catalog_backup for details. RunBeforeJob = "/home/kern/bacula/bin/make_catalog_backup" RunAfterJob = "/home/kern/bacula/bin/delete_catalog_backup" Write Bootstrap = "/home/kern/bacula/working/BackupCatalog.bsr" @@ -614,6 +616,33 @@ you to quickly recover the database backup should that be necessary. If you do not have a bootstrap file, it is still possible to recover your database backup, but it will be more work and take longer. + +\label{BackingUpBaculaSecurityConsiderations} +\section{Security considerations} +\index[general]{Backing Up Your Bacula Database - Security Considerations } +\index[general]{Database!Backing Up Your Bacula Database - Security Considerations } + +We provide make_catalog_backup as an example of what can be used to backup +your Bacula database. We expect you to take security precautions relevant +to your situation. make_catalog_backup is designed to take a password on +the command line. This is fine on machines with only trusted users. It is +not acceptable on machines without trusted users. Most database systems +provide a alternative method, which does not place the password on the +command line. + +The make_catalog_backup contains some warnings about how to use it. Please +read those tips. + +To help you get started, we know PostgreSQL has a password file, +\elink{ +.pgpass}{http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.2/static/libpq-pgpass.html}, and +we know MySQL has +\elink{ .my.cnf}{http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/4.1/en/password-security.html}. + +Only you can decide what is appropriate for your situation. We have provided +you with a starting point. We hope it helps. + + \label{BackingUPOtherDBs} \section{Backing Up Third Party Databases} \index[general]{Backing Up Third Party Databases } diff --git a/docs/manual/tips.tex b/docs/manual/tips.tex index 08aeb429..d3d81659 100644 --- a/docs/manual/tips.tex +++ b/docs/manual/tips.tex @@ -602,6 +602,11 @@ setup procedure leaves the database open to anyone. At a minimum, you should assign the user {\bf bacula} a userid and add it to your Director's configuration file in the appropriate Catalog resource. +If you use the make_catalog_backup script provided by Bacula, remember that +you should take care when supplying passwords on the command line. Read the +\ilink{BackingUpBaculaSecurityConsiderations}{Backing Up Your Bacula +Database - Security Considerations } for more information. + \section{Creating Holiday Schedules} \label{holiday} \index[general]{Schedules!Creating Holiday } -- 2.39.5