---
name: "pam_tmpdir"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "libpam-tmpdir"
version: "0.11"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pam_tmpdir"
---

# pam\_tmpdir(8)

PAM module for creating a secure directory for users' temporary files

## NAME

**pam\_tmpdir** - PAM module for creating a secure directory for users' temporary files

## SYNOPSIS

**pam\_tmpdir.so**

## DESCRIPTION

This module can be plugged into the **session** stack of a given service to provide secure, per-user directories for temporary files.

## OPTIONS

The directory in which the users' temporary directories are created can be set using an entry in /etc/security/tmpdir.conf:

```
tmpdir=/path/to/tmpdir
```

The default is /tmp/user.

## MODULE TYPES PROVIDED

Although this is intended to be used with the **session** module type, it also provides **account**, **auth**, and **password** module types.

## RETURN VALUES

- PAM\_SUCCESS

  The temporary directory was successfully created.

- PAM\_ABORT

  An error occurred when attempting to create the temporary directory.

- PAM\_SERVICE\_ERR

  An internal error occurred.

## EXAMPLES

To allow users to login even if pam\_tmpdir fails to create a safe tmpdir:

-

  ```
  session    optional     pam_tmpdir.so
  ```

To deny login if an error occurs while setting up the safe tmpdir:

-

  ```
  session    required     pam_tmpdir.so
  ```

*NOTE*: This could allow for a DoS attack if a malicious user creates /tmp/user before pam\_tmpdir does.

## SEE ALSO

[*pam-tmpdir-helper*(8)](/pam-tmpdir-helper/8.md)

## AUTHOR

Tollef Fog Heen \<tfheen@err.no\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2002-2012 Tollef Fog Heen \<tfheen@err.no\>.

This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.

There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.