AIX 5.3: Password Field in /etc/passwd

devUnix · 10-21-2010, 09:33 AM

Hi,

I have just found that the password filed in /etc/passwd is having an exclamation mark "!" instead of an "x" in there. It is an AIX 5.3 box.

Code:

UserName:!:100020:1:"Mr. User":/home/UserName:/usr/bin/ksh

Here is a line from the same file from a Fedora Box:

Code:

xyz:x:505:506::/home/xyz:/bin/bash

So, what does the mark "!" mean there on an AIX Box in the /etc/passwd file after the user account name?

Omnicronos · 10-21-2010, 09:55 AM

From shadow(5) manpage:

"If the password field contains some string that is not valid result of crypt(3), for instance ! or *, the user will not be able to use a unix password to log in, subject to pam(7)."

GrapefruiTgirl · 10-21-2010, 12:19 PM

Moved: This thread is more suitable in the AIX forum, and has been moved accordingly to help your question get the exposure it deserves.

devUnix · 10-21-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapefruiTgirl

Moved: This thread is more suitable in the AIX forum, and has been moved accordingly to help your question get the exposure it deserves.

Thanks! I forgot it.

devUnix · 10-21-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnicronos

From shadow(5) manpage:

"If the password field contains some string that is not valid result of crypt(3), for instance ! or *, the user will not be able to use a unix password to log in, subject to pam(7)."

My user account was just created on this AIX 5.3 box by the GAM team. When I logged-in I was prompted to change the password. Maybe it is the result of that "!" sign.

DukeSSD · 10-21-2010, 06:07 PM

For reference, while the link lasts, which knowing the IBM web site will not be long...

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infoce...les/passwd.htm

The ! means the password is valid and in the /etc/security/passwd file.

As a new user you will be prompted to change it on first login.