Cannot open /dev/rfcommX as regular user

[Thomas E. Horner]

WORKAROUND: Use sudo.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: linux-image-4.4.0-45-generic 4.4.0-45.66
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-45.66-generic 4.4.21
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-45-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.16
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: horner 3787 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/seq: timidity 1897 F.... timidity
Date: Wed Apr 18 19:56:21 2018
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=df31c7b2-5ad3-453f-93e9-db96c8ac8e2c
IwConfig:
 lo no wireless extensions.

 eth0 no wireless extensions.
MachineType: System manufacturer System Product Name
ProcFB:

ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-45-generic root=UUID=c4837fb2-0225-4050-8b25-dda5cfd4edc2 ro splash quiet splash
PulseList:
 Error: command ['pacmd', 'list'] failed with exit code 1: Home directory not accessible: Permission denied
 No PulseAudio daemon running, or not running as session daemon.
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-4.4.0-45-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-4.4.0-45-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.157.17
RfKill:
 0: hci0: Bluetooth
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: no
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 10/14/2008
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: 0404
dmi.board.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: P5N7A-VM
dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
dmi.board.version: Rev 1.xx
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr0404:bd10/14/2008:svnSystemmanufacturer:pnSystemProductName:pvrSystemVersion:rvnASUSTeKComputerINC.:rnP5N7A-VM:rvrRev1.xx:cvnChassisManufacture:ct3:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: System Product Name
dmi.product.version: System Version
dmi.sys.vendor: System manufacturer

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This change was made by a bot.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Thomas E. Horner, thank you for reporting this and helping make Ubuntu better.

1) What is the full manufacturer and model of the device you are trying to use as noted on the sticker of the device itself (not from the Bug Description, or the result of a terminal command)?

2) Is this something that stopped working for you personally (not someone else) after an update? If so, which?

3) Do you have a WORKAROUND to get it to work? If so, please advise how to do this precisely.

[Thomas E. Horner (thomas.horner)]

1)
mfg: Heinrichs Weikamp
model: OSTC4

2)
couldn't verify if it has worked with a previous version of ubuntu

3)
using sudo it works
without using sudo it doesn't
the user is member of several groups including the dialout group

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This change was made by a bot.