Is the linux command “intel_gpu_top” somehow a security risk?

[TMCsw 247]

I ask this because....

I really can’t figure out why this app requires root privileges to run when most other(all?) ‘(?)top’ apps work fine but can’t change anything the active user DOES’T own!

And I can’t find any way that “intel_gpu_top” can any change any system/user setting (root or not)?

So why does intel insist on elevated privileges to use this? I mean really if Someone can get to run this on my (LAN) I’d have much worse things to worry about!!!

So I can change its permissions from 0755 to 4755 and then anyone can use it…

…but is this a risk????

[Q-Droid 989]

I can't think of any security risk for this utility and if your system is not multi-user then you have even less to worry about. 

The restriction is not the intel_gpu_top itself but likely the kernel perf_events security and access control. If set_uid gets it working for you then you'll just have to remember to set again after an update.