Security Basics mailing list archives

Re: user name from security logs


From: Dave Patterson <sdpatt2 () gmail com>
Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 06:47:50 +0700

here's my question:  Is there anyway to change the admin password
and/or get the machine's control back?  If not, Do i have to backup
and reinstall linux on every box?

You need to redefine your root.
hit shift at the boot prompt and enter 
boot: Linux init=/bin/sh
then do:
# mount -n -t remount,rw /
# mount -avt nonfs,noproc,nosmbfs
# cd /etc
# vi passwd
# vi shadow

if the second data field in /etc/passwd is x,
then you need to edit the second data field in the passwd file so that
it becomes empty. Then you can reboot and login to root without a password.
-- 
Regards, Dave
Dare to be naive.
                -- R. Buckminster Fuller

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