04-09-2008
How to edit the /etc/passwd file not using root?
Hi All,
Today I faced a problem trying to log in as root. The output error is
cannot execute sh: No such file....
I doubted there is something wrong with shell interpreter which resides in /etc/passwd file for every user who logs in.
I checked and the line for root account was self-corrupted like below:
root:x:0:0:root:/root:sh
THe line for the user I`m using looks fine
elton:x:1000:1000:Elton,,,:/home/elton:/bin/bash
Can anyone tell me how to modify the line of root to add the proper path of shell?
Thanks
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vipw(8) System Manager's Manual vipw(8)
NAME
vipw - Edits the /etc/passwd file
SYNOPSIS
/usr/sbin/vipw
DESCRIPTION
You use the vipw command to edit the /etc/passwd file with the editor defined in the EDITOR environment variable. If the variable is not
set, the default editor is vi.
The vipw command performs basic consistency checks on the edited file. If a hashed indexed passwd existed previously, the vipw command
uses the mkpasswd command to create recreate it.
The command must not be used on systems that use extended security attributes since it cannot set or change them. You must be root to run
this command. Only root and security administrators should have execute access to this command.
Since the vipw command cannot effectively change all the attributes of users, it should not be used in a secure environment.
The vipw command accesses the following files, and requires the listed permissions:
------------------------------
Permissions File
------------------------------
rw /etc/passwd
rw /etc/passwd.pag
rw /etc/passwd.dir
rw /etc/ptmp
rw /etc/ptmp.pag
rw /etc/ptmp.dir
------------------------------
EXAMPLE
To edit the /etc/passwd file, type the following command and add the required line entry: vipw
FILES
Specifies the command path
RELATED INFORMATION
Commands: passwd(1), passwd(4), adduser(8), mkpasswd(8) delim off
vipw(8)