How could normal user obtain root password or change root password

rickh · 03-07-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

You could use a Live CD...

I know it could be done using a Live CD, but I'm uncomfortable with the idea that anyone who can reboot and see the Grub login screen could trivially gain root access. As I said, I have not been able to accomplish it, but if it can be done, on an up-to-date Debian (Etch) system, I want to know.

BillyGalbreath · 03-14-2007, 09:33 PM

I just now remembered because I had to do it... But I _knew_ there was a way to get into a Debian box from grub.. Instead of booting with 'single' or '-s' which asks for a password, boot with this:

Code:

init=/bin/bash

I was unable to change my password this time (I have brain farts often) because I could not remember how to remount / as writable... But once its up, just remount the root partition as writable and then run 'passwd' to change the password.

Simple.

handydan · 02-18-2009, 10:02 PM

at the grub prompt, edit the boot option line to include

Code:

init=/bin/sh

Then do

Code:

mount -o remount,rw /

And then the point of the exercise....

Code:

passwd root

and

Code:

sync&&reboot

billymayday · 02-18-2009, 10:28 PM

Did you realize this was originally from 2005 and most recently from 2007?