term% cat index.txt CHDIR(2) System Calls Manual CHDIR(2)
NAME
chdir, chroot - change working or root directory
SYNOPSIS
chdir(dirname)
char *dirname;
chroot(dirname)
char *dirname;
DESCRIPTION
Chdir changes the working directory of the invoking process to dirname;
chroot changes its root directory.
The root directory is the starting point when searching for pathnames
beginning with `/'. The working directory is the starting point for
pathnames that don't. The root directory normally points to the system
root, defined when the system is built. Login(1) initially sets the
working directory as specified in the password file, passwd(5).
After chroot, it is impossible to name a file outside the subtree
rooted at the current root, provided that the current directory is lo‐
cated within the subtree and there are no links pointing outside the
subtree (except for the entry `..' in the root directory).
Chroot may only be used by the super-user.
SEE ALSO
sh(1)
DIAGNOSTICS
Zero is returned if the directory was changed; -1 is returned if the
given pathname doesn't exist, isn't a directory or can't be searched,
or if chroot is used by other than the super-user.
BUGS
Using chroot, it is quite easy to fool set-UID programs about the con‐
tents of the password file (for example).
CHDIR(2)