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Old 11-20-2004, 03:56 PM   #1
jdruin
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Can root access be gained from regular user account without password?


I have a computer at school that has an incorrect OpenMosix line in inittab I need to change. Someone I gave the root password to (i know, i know) changed it to something else. How can I gain access without having physical access to the box? I have a valid user logon and password but I could not change the inittab file with those lowly permissions. I am able to SSH into the box with no problem.
 
Old 11-20-2004, 06:24 PM   #2
wolfe2554
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there is no way. You need to have a rescue floppy and access to the physical system to change the /etc/password file. Other wise you be screwed. OH well, by the way your story is highly unlikely as no one ever gives root permissions to anyone on a net box with out serious considerations toward that persons character and integrity. If you need to give someone root permissions in order for them to access files or install programs you could use sudoers. More than likely you are a student with aspirations to root user and can not get access to the server room. Too bad for you. If you really were root user could get physical access to the box for a rescue.
wolfe
 
Old 11-21-2004, 05:36 PM   #3
Krugger
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Hmm, so an incorrect line in inittab...

First would be to phone to the person who changed the password, but as that isn't an option for you

try perl -e 'exec "\x65\x63\x68\x6f\x20\x72\x6f\x6f\x74\x23\x3b\x73\x6c\x65\x65\x70\x20\x35\x3b\x20\x65\x63\x68\x6f\x2 0\x4c\x6f\x67\x6f\x75\x74\x0a"'

for a glimps of root.
 
Old 11-21-2004, 09:28 PM   #4
jdruin
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Well, acutally I can email a professor who can talk to the person for me. I just didnt want to wait that long as the holiday will mean I need to wait til a week from now. I want to work on the problem right away as the semester is coming to an end. But I digress, thanks for the info all.

I will drive to school and access the server directly next week.

Thanks you for the info Krugger, however I cannot run that code because I do not know what it does.
 
Old 11-22-2004, 05:19 AM   #5
Krugger
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It's just a small practical joke.

Not running unknown code is good.
 
Old 11-22-2004, 10:20 AM   #6
bignerd
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Quote:
however I cannot run that code because I do not know what it does. [/B]
translates out to echo root#;sleep 5; echo Logout

No idea if it works (as a joke). Didn't run it.

-b
 
  


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