How to use the command 'fixfiles' (with examples)

The fixfiles command is used to fix file SELinux security contexts. It is a powerful tool that can be used to restore or modify file contexts based on various criteria. This article will provide examples of how to use fixfiles for different use cases.

Use case 1: Record the current date for autorelabeling

fixfiles -B

Motivation: By using the -B option, fixfiles will record the current date in the /.autorelabel file. This information can be used later to speed up the labeling process.

Explanation: The -B option specifies that the fixfiles command should record the current date in the /.autorelabel file.

Example output: No output is generated when using this command. The current date is recorded in the /.autorelabel file.

Use case 2: Force reset context to match file_context for customizable files

fixfiles -F

Motivation: The -F option is useful when you want to force reset the context of customizable files to match the file_context. This can be helpful if you have made custom changes to the file contexts and want to revert back to the default settings.

Explanation: The -F option forces a reset of the context to match the file_context for customizable files.

Example output: No output is generated when using this command. The contexts of customizable files are reset to match the file_context.

Use case 3: Clear the /tmp directory without confirmation

fixfiles -f

Motivation: The -f option allows you to clear the /tmp directory without requiring confirmation. This can be useful when you want to remove all files in the /tmp directory quickly.

Explanation: The -f option clears the /tmp directory without requiring confirmation.

Example output: No output is generated when using this command. The /tmp directory is cleared without confirmation.

Use case 4: Restore file contexts based on RPM packages

fixfiles -R rpm_package1,rpm_package2 ...

Motivation: The -R option allows you to use the RPM database to discover all files within specific packages and restore their file contexts. This can be useful when you want to restore the file contexts for specific packages.

Explanation: The -R option specifies the RPM packages for which you want to restore the file contexts.

Example output: No output is generated when using this command. The file contexts for the specified RPM packages are restored.

Use case 5: Run a diff and restore file contexts

fixfiles -C PREVIOUS_FILECONTEXT

Motivation: The -C option allows you to run a diff on the PREVIOUS_FILECONTEXT file and the currently installed one. It then restores the context of all affected files. This is useful when you want to compare the file contexts and restore any differences.

Explanation: The -C option specifies the PREVIOUS_FILECONTEXT file to compare with the currently installed one. It restores the context of all affected files.

Example output: No output is generated when using this command. The file contexts of affected files are restored based on the differences found in the diff.

Use case 6: Act on files created after a specific date

fixfiles -N YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM

Motivation: The -N option allows you to only act on files that were created after a specific date. This can be useful when you want to apply fixes or modifications only to recently created files.

Explanation: The -N option specifies the date and time after which the command should act on files. The date and time format should be in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM format.

Example output: No output is generated when using this command. The command only acts on files that were created after the specified date and time.

Use case 7: Bind mount filesystems before relabeling

fixfiles -M

Motivation: The -M option allows you to bind mount filesystems before relabeling them. This enables you to fix the context of files or directories that have been mounted over.

Explanation: The -M option specifies that the command should bind mount filesystems before relabeling them. This allows the fixing of contexts for files or directories that have been mounted over.

Example output: No output is generated when using this command. Filesystems are bind mounted before relabeling them.

Use case 8: Modify verbosity and run restorecon

fixfiles -v

Motivation: The -v option allows you to modify the verbosity from progress to verbose. It also runs restorecon with -v instead of -p. This can be helpful when you want to see more detailed output and progress information.

Explanation: The -v option modifies the verbosity to verbose and runs restorecon with -v instead of -p.

Example output: The output will be more verbose compared to using the default verbosity. You will see detailed progress information and the output of restorecon will also be displayed.