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Specifying `/var/lib` in layout breaks snapd because of `/var/lib/snapd`

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Metadata

Project
snapcraft (launchpad)
Number
#1846068
Type
issue
State
open
Author
~zyga
Labels
Created
Updated
Closed

Current evaluation

Snapcraft allows /var/lib as a layout target, which shadows /var/lib/snapd and produces an uninstallable snap. No validation rejects parent paths of disallowed layout targets. 7 years old, zero comments, no labels, no maintainer response.

Suggested action: needs triage

Reason: The issue has zero comments, no labels, and no maintainer interaction in ~7 years (2527 days), so it has never been triaged. The docs at docs/reference/layouts.rst still list /var/lib/snapd as a disallowed layout target, confirming the constraint is current, but there is no evidence that snapcraft added validation to reject ancestor paths like /var/lib. A maintainer should verify whether this validation gap still exists in the current codebase before deciding to fix or close.

Impact: 25 Quick Win: 17.5 Staleness: 92 Complexity: 30 Confidence: 72 Support Request: 10

Issue body

If I layout `/var/lib/` in a snapcraft.yaml, it builds fine but the resulting snap will not install due to it overwriting `/var/lib/snapd`.

Evaluation history

Date Model Scores Action Summary
qwen/qwen3.8-27b
Impact: 25
Quick Win: 17.5
Staleness: 92
Complexity: 30
Confidence: 72
Support Request: 10
needs triage Snapcraft allows /var/lib as a layout target, which shadows /var/lib/snapd and produces an uninstallable snap. No validation rejects parent paths of disallowed layout targets. 7 years old, zero comments, no labels, no maintainer response.
qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b
Staleness: 95
Complexity: 30
Confidence: 85
Support Request: 10
close stale Specifying /var/lib in a snap layout overwrites /var/lib/snapd, preventing installation. Issue has been inactive for over 6 years with no maintainer response or labels.
qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b
Staleness: 95
Complexity: 30
Confidence: 85
Support Request: 10
close stale Specifying /var/lib in a snap layout overwrites /var/lib/snapd, preventing installation. Unlabeled, no maintainer response, inactive for nearly 7 years.
qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6
Staleness: 95
Complexity: 40
Confidence: 85
Support Request: 20
close stale Snap layout configuration for /var/lib conflicts with /var/lib/snapd during installation. Issue has seen no maintainer activity or comments in over six years.
qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6
Staleness: 95
Complexity: 30
Confidence: 80
Support Request: 5
close stale Specifying /var/lib in a snap layout causes installation failure by overwriting /var/lib/snapd. Open for over six years with zero maintainer interaction or comments.

Update history

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Related issues

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