system call returns 1 if the process environment or memory address space
and returns 0 otherwise.
A process is tainted if it was created as a result of an
system call which had either of the setuid or setgid bits set (and extra
privileges were given as a result) or if it has changed any of its real,
effective or saved user or group IDs since it began execution.
This system call exists so that library routines (eg: libc, libtermcap)
can reliably determine if it is safe to use information
that was obtained from the user, in particular the results from
should be viewed with suspicion if it is used to control operation.
status is inherited by child processes as a result of the
system call (or other library code that calls fork, such as
It is assumed that a program that clears all privileges as it prepares
to execute another will also reset the environment, hence the
status will not be passed on.
This is important for programs such as
which begin setuid but need to be able to create an untainted process.