Don't use exec()

[craigds]

Don't use exec()

[heynemann]

It also kills the ability to use any python specific code (like getting the number of CPUs or using an environment variable or event an IF). Not sure how to solve code execution. Maybe not allowing the list of paths would improve security? I'm trying not to sacrifice extensibility and not compromise on security.

If we were to use just what you describe, we'd be better of using .ini files (natively supported by python). Maybe a good solution would be allowing users to specify which they want to use. INI files would not allow python code to run, but are more limited. Conf files are more extensible, with all the problems that come with it.

[craigds]

Fair enough. Maybe just suggesting (and generating) config files with a .py extension would be enough. Makes it really clear it's a python file and not some kind of INI type thing.

Just looking at the source code, realising perhaps it's not derpconf that picks the filename at all, in which case maybe I should redirect this ticket to cyclops?