Re: initdb authentication

Tom Lane wrote:
> Bruce Momjian <pgman@candle.pha.pa.us> writes:
> > I think the basic problem is that right now there is no way to do an
> > initdb and have it be secure _before_ you edit pg_hba.conf.  That isn't
> > acceptable.  If I am on an insecure machine, the window if time between
> > initdb and editing of pg_hba.conf is pretty bad.
>
> Bruce, you of all people should be aware that there is no such window.
> The postmaster *is not running* and cannot accept any hostile
> connections if you haven't started it.
>
> Argue all you like about the potential for novice error, but don't try
> to scare us by claiming that it's inherently insecure.

Ah, I forgot about postmaster start.  (My scripts do it automatically
here.)  Maybe we just need to print a warning telling people they should
secure pg_hba.conf before starting the postmaster on an insecure
machine.

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