--> ]> pam_get_item 3 Linux-PAM Manual pam_get_item getting PAM informations #include <security/pam_modules.h> int pam_get_item const pam_handle_t *pamh int item_type const void **item The pam_get_item function allows applications and PAM service modules to access and retrieve PAM informations of item_type. Upon successful return, item contains a pointer to the value of the corresponding item. Note, this is a pointer to the actual data and should not be free()'ed or over-written! The following values are supported for item_type: If a service module wishes to obtain the name of the user, it should not use this function, but instead perform a call to pam_get_user3 . Only a service module is privileged to read the authentication tokens, PAM_AUTHTOK and PAM_OLDAUTHTOK. PAM_BAD_ITEM The application attempted to set an undefined or inaccessible item. PAM_BUF_ERR Memory buffer error. PAM_PERM_DENIED The value of item was NULL. PAM_SUCCESS Data was successful updated. PAM_SYSTEM_ERR The pam_handle_t passed as first argument was invalid. pam_set_item3 , pam_strerror3