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Old 12-01-2005, 05:05 AM   #1
openbysource
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Registered: Oct 2005
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Distribution: RHEL 4 ES
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two root passwords


Hello friends,

I have a computer system with me.
It has a RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 ES installed.
What interesting is that it has two root passwords.

Both can be used to login in virtual consoles.
But only one can be used to login via gdm.

Is it possible.
And if yes then how is it done.

Thanks
Take Care
N donīt forget be Open By Source
 
Old 12-01-2005, 05:08 AM   #2
whansard
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look at the /etc/passwd file and see if there are two entries for user 0
 
Old 12-01-2005, 05:12 AM   #3
openbysource
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no
 
Old 12-01-2005, 05:20 AM   #4
jschiwal
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I can only imagine that there may be a problem with the PAM setup. It is possible to set up the sudo command so that it takes a non-root password. This is desirable actually, because then you don't have to provide the root password to the sudo users. But having two regular root passwords begs a question. How do you change the second one?
 
Old 12-02-2005, 07:19 AM   #5
openbysource
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Hello,

I solved the mystery.
My share of experience:

NOTE: TILL NOW TESTED ON RedHat Enterprise Linux 4.0 (ES,WS) ONLY.

If you want to by-pass the password prompt during login do this:

open the following file:
vi /etc/pam.d/login

Change all "required" strings to "optional" strings and save and exit the file.
Try and login via any user(root also). You will be prompted for password press
enter or anything you will be at the shell.

This way Security can be breaked out.
Other files in /etc/pam.d directory also are for the security purpose. Check out
login via the GDM. Here you will have to input the right password. But if you
want to skip it just change the following file:
vi /etc/pam.d/gdm

Change all "required" strings to "optional".
If you want to known about the internal workings of these files mail me and I
will provide you with the solutions.

openbysource@yahoo.co.in

Thanks
Take Care
Be Open By Source

Last edited by openbysource; 12-02-2005 at 07:23 AM.
 
  


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