Re:Ask HN: API to run Python code, what can go wrong?
by deepsquirrelnet on Saturday March 19, 2022 @09:55PM
(#30739313)
import os
os.system("rm -rf / ")
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Re:Ask HN: API to run Python code, what can go wrong?
by nathanganser on Saturday March 19, 2022 @10:11PM
(#30739397)
I was trying to read about this, what's the purpose of this?
Re:Ask HN: API to run Python code, what can go wrong?
by izzygonzalez on Saturday March 19, 2022 @10:47PM
(#30739586)
Sorry you got downvoted. It's a legitimate question. I think the parent comment was being ironic by pointing out a dangerous command that might be run. I think it would remove any files at the root directory.
rm -> remove/delete the given file
-r -> recursively delete files and subdirectories
-f -> remove forcefully without command prompt, specifically useful when deleting unwritable files
/ -> the root partition, basically the base of the entire system
When combined, it's dangerous because it could delete every file and directory on the root. I'm not sure, but I think you would need superuser (sudo) privileges to do so, but I'm not gonna test it:
sudo rm -rf /
Here's more on rm: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/rm-rf-command-in-linux-with-ex...
Re:Ask HN: API to run Python code, what can go wrong?
by nathanganser on Sunday March 20, 2022 @01:57PM
(#30744939)
Thanks for taking the time to explain, really appreciate the kindness :)