X File Explorer 1.45
Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS
When I click on New Root Window, nothing happens
If I type 'sudo xfe' it works as root, but I cannot get the program to launch as root from its user instance.
I did not see any errors in ~/.xsession-errors
Was not able to see a log in /var/logs
I tried deleting the config from /root but it did not change the problem
Not sure what to do next. Help?
Hi, thanks for the bug report. The problem is that the xfe 1.45 package distributed with Debian or Ubuntu is faulty because a file is missing. I've sent a mail to the Debian package and I still wait for the fix. In the meanwhile, you could just copy (as root) the attached file to the /usr/share/polkit-1/actions directory, with permissions 0644 and owner root.
Last edit: Roland Baudin 2023-04-11
Hi Roland,
I tried and still no change.
Tested on xubuntu 23.04.
I tested the solution today and it works as expected in Ubuntu 23.04. Are you sure you copied the file to the right place? Did you use the Xfe package provided by Ubuntu?
I filled a bug report for the Ubuntu package here https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xfe/+bug/2017427
Last edit: Roland Baudin 2023-04-23
Hi,
Sorry for the late reply, I thought I would get an answer notification!
So yes, I think it is in the right place, see attachment.
I use the deb package (version 1.45) from Ubuntu.
Running from terminal, when I click the root button, here is the terminal output: "Refusing to render service to dead parents."
Last edit: Jean-Nicolas 2023-05-01
OK. Is the package 'pkexec' installed? This package is required.
If yes, could you try to run Xfe like this:
/usr/bin/pkexec xfe
Does it work?
The package is installed (0.105-33).
Works fine from the terminal with the command you provided.
OK, thanks, that's a good point.
Are you sure you are using the 'Authentication using pkexec' option in Edit / Preferences / Modes / Root Modes?
Yes I was.
Strange enough I tested the other way, that is Authenticate with sudo (sudo -b xfe). And it works fine with that one!
The issue appeared after I installed xubuntu 23.04. The xfe profile is reconducted from the previous installation (symlink so that I keep my customization when I upgrade).
I don't see what could have been wrong since the profile remained untouched for several years I think (at least several xubuntu upgrades).
I'm fine with the fix, thanks for the help!
Okay, now I've received the same bug report on Fedora:
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2208727
and actually, when
actually I see: "Refusing to render service to dead parents.", while when launching xfe from "gnome-terminal", new root window with pkexec succeeds.
Then the problem here is that
The actual command xfe gui is doing is
$ sh -c "pkexec xfe &"
as written on(
system(3)
invokes command withbash -c "command"
) so heresystem(3)
pkexec xfe
as "background" (by &) and then exit immediatelyWith this, pkexec process is pick up by "init" process, however pkexec refuses this as:
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/polkit/tree/src/programs/pkexec.c?h=v.121#n742
this is the exact error message above. Strangely, when launching xfe from gnome-terminal and try "root window" from xfe gui, pkexec is picked up by "user" systemd process (not "init" systemd process), so pkexec succeeds.
So in summary, when using pkexec, non-init parent process is needed.
Ok, thanks for the detailed report. I'll investigate and let you know if I find a fix.
I tested the root mode in Ubuntu 23.10 and Fedora 39 and it works as expected (using pkexec authentication).
So I close the bug for now.