Solaris 8 - Asks for current root password when trying to change root password.


 
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Operating Systems Solaris Solaris 8 - Asks for current root password when trying to change root password.
# 1  
Old 04-05-2009
Solaris 8 - Asks for current root password when trying to change root password.

Hello All,
I have several solaris boxes running Solaris 8. When changing root passwords on them, all will simply ask for the new root password to change and of course to re-type the new password. One of the systems however asks for the existing root password before it will display the new password prompt for root.

Any ideas.


Thanks in advance

Tony
# 2  
Old 04-06-2009
what is the output of "who am i" on this system?
# 3  
Old 04-06-2009
Output examples

Hi DukeNuke2,
Thanks for your reply. Here is some additional info including the output of who am i.

Thanks for any assistance or ideas.



SunOS hostname 5.8 Generic_117350-46 sun4u sparc SUNW,Ultra-80

Code:
hostname:():/root
# who am i
root       pts/1        Apr  7 10:01    (###.###.###.##)
hostname:():/root
# id
uid=0(root) gid=100(users)
hostname:():/root
# passwd
passwd: Changing password for root
Password:
passwd: Sorry, wrong passwd
Permission denied
hostname:():/root

Example of trying to change password of normal user
Code:
hostname:():/root
# passwd joe
Password:
passwd: Sorry, wrong passwd
Permission denied


Last edited by Yogesh Sawant; 04-07-2009 at 05:07 AM.. Reason: added code tags
# 4  
Old 04-07-2009
is this host member in a nis or ldap domain?
# 5  
Old 04-07-2009
no, it is not a member of nis or ldap.......standalone

/etc/nsswitch.conf all set to files
# 6  
Old 04-07-2009
have you rebooted the server? checked all filesystems/permissions (special /var/tmp)? how do you login (ssh/telnet/console)? have you run "pwconv"?
there are so many possibilities... it's hard to do this remote...
# 7  
Old 04-07-2009
Root apparently being in group 100 (users) is a concern.
Did you "su - root" or become root by some other means?

Please post the following, and post any errors if your root account gives and error:

# Permissions of root directory
ls -ald /

# Permissions of /etc
ls -lad /etc

# Permissions of password file itself
ls -lad /etc/passwd

# Location of passwd command
type passwd

# Permissions of passwd command
ls -lad <answer from above>

# Root entry from /etc/passwd
grep \^root: /etc/passwd

# Results of password file checking program
pwck

# Results of group file checking program
grpck

Last edited by methyl; 04-07-2009 at 10:33 AM.. Reason: Typo
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