chmod 372 Permission Explained
Summary: chmod 372 gives the owner write/execute, the group read/write/execute, and everyone else write.
| Class | Read (4) | Write (2) | Execute (1) | Octal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner (u) | 3 | |||
| Group (g) | 7 | |||
| Others (o) | 2 |
chmod 372 filename
chmod 372 Breakdown
| Class | Digit | Symbolic | On a file | On a directory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner (u) | 3 |
-wx |
Write and execute | Can enter and create/delete files, but not list |
| Group (g) | 7 |
rwx |
Full access | Full access: list, enter, create, delete |
| Others (o) | 2 |
-w- |
Write only (rarely useful) | No practical effect without x |
Is chmod 372 Safe?
Critical Risk
- Anyone on the system can modify or replace this file.
- Every member of the group can modify this file.
- Scripts need read permission to run; only compiled binaries can be executed without it.
- Unusual: a lower class has permissions the class above it lacks.
Common Use Cases
372 is uncommon in standard Linux setups. The closest widely used permission is chmod 770.
chmod 372 Command Examples
# Apply using octal mode
chmod 372 filename
# Apply using equivalent symbolic mode
chmod u=wx,g=rwx,o=w filename
# Recursive command warning:
chmod -R 372 /path/to/dir
# Note: -R applies the same mode to files and directories. Use find to treat them separately:
find /path/to/dir -type d -exec chmod 372 {} +
# Verify permissions
stat -c '%a %A %n' filename # Linux
stat -f '%Lp %Sp %N' filename # macOS
# Example ls -l output:
--wxrwx-w- 1 alice staff 1024 Jan 15 10:00 example.txtumask Relationship
A umask of 405 makes new directories 372. Test umask values with our interactive Umask Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chmod 372 mean?
chmod 372 gives the owner write/execute, the group read/write/execute, and everyone else write. In octal notation, the owner receives 3 (write/execute), the group receives 7 (read/write/execute), and others receive 2 (write).
Is chmod 372 safe?
chmod 372 is classified as Critical Risk. Anyone on the system can modify or replace this file.
What is chmod 372 in symbolic notation?
In symbolic notation, chmod 372 is represented as -wxrwx-w-. You can apply this permission using the equivalent symbolic command "chmod u=wx,g=rwx,o=w filename".
Related Permissions
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