I lose ftp access when I disable shell access for user

captainObvious · 11-12-2004, 12:25 AM

Hello,
When I set my users shell access to /dev/null he loses ftp access and the error sais login not correct. I'm using fedora 2 and vsftpd ftp server. Can someone help me out with why this is happening.

thanks

Poetics · 11-12-2004, 03:19 AM

If you're routing a user's shell to the linux equivallent of the netherworld, you're disabling that user from issuing commands of his own (ie logging in). Even FTP has to issue commands ("cd /blah/download/stuff/misc" amongst others), and when you disable that shell, you disable their ability to use commands.

We know that there are differences in commands between the bash, sh, and other shells. The difference with /dev/nul is that there are -no- valid commands.

trickykid · 11-12-2004, 07:01 AM

FTP and especially vsftpd should have its own built in commands for users.. give this user a shell called.. /bin/false and add that to your /etc/shells file.. then have him try to FTP into the server.

The problem is, with a shell like /dev/null.. well, the system itself is sending him into a blackhole..

captainObvious · 11-13-2004, 05:49 PM

Thank you , that did the trick !