Re: Reseting root password Was: user name from security logs

[Steven McIntosh <s.mcintosh () compserv gla ac uk>]

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Like wise, remove the "x", which references the shadow file, from the
root entry in the passwd file and hey presto. Instant access for root on
reboot with no password.

Robert Reed wrote:
> yes there is a way to get control back..... I'm not clear if you are
> referring to a Linux box or windows.... please clarify?
>
> for windows boxes there are live Linux distros that will allow you to change
> the admin password....... with Linux you can attack the shadow password file
> and delete the admin password... then log on as root and create a new
> password for the root account
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Alexander Klimov" <alserkli () inbox ru>
> To: "Emmanuel Goldstein" <goldstein101 () gmail com>
> Cc: <security-basics () securityfocus com>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 1:33 AM
> Subject: Reseting root password Was: user name from security logs
>
>
>
> > On Sun, 29 May 2005, Emmanuel Goldstein wrote:
> >
> > > I have physical access to the computer and i can also access all hd's
> > > files using a LiveCD linux distribution.
> > >
> > > So, here's my question:  Is there anyway to change the admin password
> > > and/or get the machine's control back?
> >
> > Boot a LiveCD, mount the root partition:
> >
> > mkdir /tmp/a; mount /dev/hda1 /tmp/a
> >
> > chroot to it:
> >
> > chroot /tmp/a
> >
> > and change the password:
> >
> > passwd
> >
> > Depending of authentication method used you can do it more directly,
> > e.g., changing a line in /etc/shadow:
> >
> > root:password-hash:....
> >
> > to
> >
> > root::....
> >
> > -- 
> > Regards,
> > ASK

- --
Steven McIntosh
Information Systems Security Officer
Computing Service
James Watt North Building
University of Glasgow
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
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