NAME

       safe_finger - finger client wrapper that protects against nasty stuff from finger servers

SYNOPSIS

       safe_finger [finger_options]

DESCRIPTION

       The  safe_finger command protects against nasty stuff from finger servers. Use this program for automatic
       reverse finger probes from the tcp_wrapper (tcpd) , not the raw finger command. The  safe_finger  command
       makes  sure that the finger client is not run with root privileges. It also runs the finger client with a
       defined PATH environment.  safe_finger will also protect you from problems caused by the output  of  some
       finger servers. The problem: some programs may react to stuff in the first column. Other programs may get
       upset by thrash anywhere on a line. File systems may fill up as the finger  server  keeps  sending  data.
       Text  editors  may  bomb  out  on extremely long lines.  The finger server may take forever because it is
       somehow wedged.  safe_finger takes care of all this badness.

SEE ALSO

       hosts_access(5), hosts_options(5), tcpd(8)

AUTHOR

       Wietse Venema, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.