Problems with root

Jamsoft · 02-25-2005, 09:10 AM

I have a strange one.

Im running redhat 9.0 on a desktop computer. Its an installation here at the office, and is on a machine I cant just wipe.

About 3 months ago, we became unable to login as root. If we login as root from ANYWHERE, we are immediately logged back out.

This includes locally on the box.

We have NO problems logging in as other users, and SU'ing to root, but we cannot login as root directly.

Ive checked the passwd file, and root's shell is set to /bin/bash, just like the users.

This used to work, but now doesnt. Anyone?

darkleaf · 02-25-2005, 09:21 AM

RH uses kde isn't it? It could be that you didn't allow root users to login in the kdm options. Check the config file and allow root users.

Jamsoft · 02-25-2005, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by darkleaf
RH uses kde isn't it? It could be that you didn't allow root users to login in the kdm options. Check the config file and allow root users.

Yes, I am using KDE. But I used to be able to log into the KDE as root, and I used to be able to ssh into the box as root. But now I can do neither. Its actually a bit of a bother.

morrolan · 02-25-2005, 10:03 AM

Can you login as root at the CLI?

Perhaps try checking the root home directory (/root - not trying to teach you to suck eggs!) for a stale lock file - I can't remember exactly what it will be called but it is usually X11lock or something similar. Back it up and then delete it, see if that helps?

Also, you could maybe try erasing the root password and then creating a new one.

Try this:

http://www.aplawrence.com/Linux/lostlinuxpassword.html

That looks about right..

Jamsoft · 02-25-2005, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by morrolan
Can you login as root at the CLI?

Perhaps try checking the root home directory (/root - not trying to teach you to suck eggs!) for a stale lock file - I can't remember exactly what it will be called but it is usually X11lock or something similar. Back it up and then delete it, see if that helps?

I recall there being an X0 lockfile in the /tmp/.X11-unix folder. Lemme verify. There is a file there, but its a new file (has a date of a couple of days ago) and this has been happening for a few months now.

And no, I cannot login as root from the CLI either.

Rich

morrolan · 02-25-2005, 10:53 AM

I may be way off on this, but the lock file may refresh each time a login is attempted?

That's odd though because I don't think an X lockfile will be responsible for not being able to login at the CLI.

Have you checked for rootkits?

Jamsoft · 02-25-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by morrolan
I may be way off on this, but the lock file may refresh each time a login is attempted?

That's odd though because I don't think an X lockfile will be responsible for not being able to login at the CLI.

Have you checked for rootkits?

Not lately, but this machine IS sitting on an internal network, on a non-routable network. Theres no way for someone to get TO it from the outside. And the machine is only used by a couple of programmers for testing php pages before uploading to our production servers.

I just rebooted the box. The X0 lockfile is refreshed when xWindows starts, apparently.

Rich