-$ROOTCMD aptitude -f -y install file-rc
-
-# Workaround #443481 of snort for Debian/etch:
-mkdir -p $target/etc/snort
-echo 'LOGDIR=/var/log/snort' >> $target/etc/snort/snort.common.parameters
+# newer aptitude versions won't remove essential packages using
+# 'aptitude -f -y install file-rc' anymore, therefore force it:
+$ROOTCMD aptitude -o Aptitude::ProblemResolver::Keep-All-Tier=60000 -f -y install file-rc