getpass() problem in inetutils (all recent versions, non-Linux)

[Bert De Knuydt]

Hello,

There is a problem with the way inetutils gets a password on Solaris and
HP-UX.  Inetutils uses getpass(); on Solaris (up to 2.6) and HP-UX (up to
10.20) getpass() returns at most MAX_PASS characters.  MAX_PASS is only 8.
So on some anonymous ftp servers, which require you to enter a full email
address, most of that address is truncated, and you might be refused
access.

In fact, on several other platforms (Ultrix, Tru64) the limit MAX_PASS is
16, which is also too short in some cases.  

E.g. 

  > ftp --version
ftp (GNU inetutils) 1.3.2
  > uname -a
HP-UX achouffe B.10.20 E 9000/778 unknown
   > ftp ftp.esat.kuleuven.ac.be
Connected to malheur.esat.kuleuven.ac.be.
220-
220- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
220- Welcome to the FTP-server of ESAT, the dept. of Electrical Engineering
220-                        of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
220- Regular access is available for ESAT account holders and guest users.
220- Anonymous access is possible: type the user name 'ftp' or 'anonymous'
220- and your e-mail address as password (name followed by @ is enough).
220- All transfers are logged, if you do not like this quit.
220- If you have problems or questions mail to: address@hidden
220- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
220-
220 ftp.esat.kuleuven.ac.be FTP server ready.
Name (ftp:deknuydt): ftp
331 Guest login ok, send your complete e-mail address as password.
Password: address@hidden
530-The response 'deknuydt' is not valid
530-Please use your e-mail address as your password
530-   for example: address@hidden or joe@
530-[achouffe.esat.kuleuven.ac.be will be added if password ends with @]
230-Note: the ftp-server received an address which was 8 characters long, if
230-      you typed more than 8 characters it is very probably your ftp-client
230-      which is causing this problem (inform your system administrator).
530 Login incorrect.
ftp: Login failed.
ftp> 221 Goodbye.

On Solaris, the solution is simple: a function getpassphrase() does exactly
what getpass() does, except that there is no 8 char restriction.  Configure
should generate a "#define getpass getpassphrase" somewhere

For HP, I'd suggest inserting a getpass() clone (taken from Linux
or BSD) into libinetutils ...

Anyhow, thanks for the good work!

Greetings, 

Bert.

-- 
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