Any reason not to start openvpn as root?

Question

I'm running openvpn (client) on a home ubuntu server.

I currently create the connection with the command:

sudo openvpn /path/to/config/file

If I don't run it as root, I get an error that the TUN interface can't be created.

I found an old thread on the topic where someone suggested adding your user to netdev, but after doing that I still get the same error.

How urgent is it to solve this problem? Does it really matter if I init the openvpn connection as root or not? Is it a security hazard?

Thanks!

Use sudo su then openvpn client.ovpn – Julio Marins May 25 '16 at 20:36 — Julio Marins, May 25 '16 at 20:36

score 8 · Answer 1 · edited Dec 31 '12 at 01:11

8

By default OpenVPN runs as root because needs it to create TUN devices.

I dont know if there's any security hazard, but in their wiki, you can find a guide to start OPENVPN with other unprivileged user.

edited Dec 31 '12 at 01:11

Eliah Kagan

answered Feb 03 '12 at 03:54

1

It'd be great if someone could show us a working config. – Chev_603 Dec 13 '16 at 01:11

1 Answers1