gksu-properties

gksu-properties
(Runs without arguments to launch its graphical configuration interface.)

gksu-properties is a graphical utility designed to configure the behavior of the gksu and gksudo commands. These commands provided a convenient graphical front-end for executing applications with elevated privileges (typically as the root user) within a desktop environment, serving a similar purpose to the command-line su and sudo utilities. The gksu-properties tool allowed users to customize key aspects of gksu's operation. This included settings such as whether to remember passwords across multiple invocations, the duration of the password memory timeout, and the choice between using su or sudo as the underlying privilege escalation mechanism. It offered a user-friendly interface to manage how graphical applications request and handle administrative rights, aiming to simplify a common administrative task for desktop users.

gksu and its related tools, including gksu-properties, are largely considered deprecated in modern Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu since 18.04). They have been superseded by more modern and often more secure alternatives like pkexec (part of Polkit) or by using commands like gnome-terminal -- sudo for elevated operations within a terminal. Running graphical applications as the root user, which gksu facilitates, is generally discouraged due to potential security vulnerabilities and system instability. Using a less privileged user and escalating only specific commands is the preferred approach.

gksu-properties is exclusively a graphical application. Executing it from the command line launches a separate window where users can interact with its settings through a point-and-click interface, rather than accepting command-line arguments for configuration.

The tool allowed users to modify settings such as the Password timeout (how long credentials are remembered), whether to Remember passwords at all, and the choice of Authentication backend (su or sudo).

The gksu suite, including gksu-properties, emerged as a prominent toolset in GNOME-based desktop environments to bridge the gap between graphical applications and the need for root privileges. It provided a simpler, more integrated user experience compared to constantly dropping to a terminal for administrative tasks. Its development aligned with the growth of Linux as a desktop operating system, making privilege escalation more accessible. However, with evolving security paradigms and the adoption of Polkit and Wayland, the design principles behind gksu became less optimal. Consequently, many distributions began phasing out gksu in favor of more granular and secure privilege management frameworks, leading to the obsolescence of gksu-properties as well.

gksu(1), gksudo(1), sudo(8), su(1), pkexec(1)