Big problem: shell entry in /etc/passwd corrupted for user root Post: 303042208

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Top Forums UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users Big problem: shell entry in /etc/passwd corrupted for user root Post 303042208 by Neo on Thursday 19th of December 2019 01:19:02 AM

12-19-2019

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Sometimes when I am working on these kinds of "gotacha" files, I temporarily change the permissions to read:write for all users or change the owner of the file to an "other than root" user, or both. Then, when all is testing and working OK, I change back to how it was (root ownership, only root can modify, etc.)

I have a funny story to tell (someday) about this, regarding temporarily disabling google_authentication on a server, because of problems with an iPhone lightening connector (battery would not charge, port did not work at all) and the many hours of headaches a small mistake caused me (blocked my own root access on a remote server); all of this started with dust in the iPhone charge port and me spraying some contact cleaner into the port, gumming it up ever worse.

Always have one more more backup plans when doing these kinds of "gotcha" file changes. In the case cited above, because I had to restart sshd, even having two other open ssh connections as root into the server did not help!

Of course, all these editorial comments do not help "after the fact" and so it if makes you feel any better, most of us have made similar mistakes at one time or another.
Remember, you can temporarily change permissions and ownership on files when working on these kinds of "whoops, it got me" changes.

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LEARN ABOUT SUNOS

vipw

vipw(1B)					     SunOS/BSD Compatibility Package Commands						  vipw(1B)

NAME

       vipw - edit the password file

SYNOPSIS

       /usr/ucb/vipw

DESCRIPTION

       vipw edits the password file while setting the appropriate locks, and does any necessary processing after the password file is unlocked. If
       the password file is already being edited, then you will be told to try again later.  The vi(1) editor will be used unless the  environment
       variable VISUAL or EDITOR indicates an alternate editor.

       vipw performs a number of consistency checks on the password entry for root, and will not allow a password file with a "mangled" root entry
       to be installed.  It also checks the /etc/shells file to verify the login shell for root.

FILES

       /etc/ptmp

       /etc/shells

ATTRIBUTES

       See attributes(5) for descriptions of the following attributes:

       +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
       |      ATTRIBUTE TYPE	     |	    ATTRIBUTE VALUE	   |
       +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
       |Availability		     |SUNWscpu			   |
       +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+

SEE ALSO

       passwd(1), vi(1), passwd(4), attributes(5)

SunOS 5.10							    14 Sep 1992 							  vipw(1B)

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