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# The Linux-PAM Module Writers' Guide

## Andrew G. Morgan, `morgan@kernel.org`

DRAFT v0.76 2002/05/09

This manual documents what a programmer needs to know in order to write a module that conforms to the Linux-PAM standard. It also discusses some security issues from the point of view of the module programmer.

## 1. Introduction

- 1.1 Synopsis
- 1.2 Description

## 2. What can be expected by the module

- 2.1 Getting and setting `PAM_ITEM`s and data
- 2.2 Other functions provided by `libpam`

## 3. What is expected of a module

- 3.1 Overview
- 3.2 Authentication management
- 3.3 Account management
- 3.4 Session management
- 3.5 Password management

## 4. Generic optional arguments

## 5. Programming notes

- 5.1 Security issues for module creation
- 5.2 Use of `syslog(3)`
- 5.3 Modules that require system libraries
- 5.4 Added requirements for statically loaded modules.

## 6. An example module file

## 7. Files

## 8. See also

## 9. Notes

## 10. Author/acknowledgments

## 11. Bugs/omissions

## 12. Copyright information for this document

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