Debian GNU/Linux 3.1, need help with blocked root access

mom2sysad · 04-09-2006, 12:21 AM

I used to be a UNIX sys admin, but that was 10 years ago, and I'm really stuck now. After 10 years of marriage and raising kids, my husband, who is a software engineer, is leaving me for another woman. Well, the problem I'm having is that he took away my access to root, locked a bunch of pertinent financial files on his passworded account, and severely limited my access on my own account. I can't view the etc/passwd or the etc/shadow file, and I believe my email is being filtered. I believe my own password still works, though I haven't logged off for fear that I will not be able to get back on again. I have limited remote access from our other computer, but I can't do anything from it. I only knew about this situation when I went to check out the financial records for tax purposes. Please, what can I do, or should I take legal recourse?

Capt_Caveman · 04-09-2006, 12:27 AM

While I sympathize with your problem, any advice we give would essentially be a HOWTO on hacking into someone's box which is against the rules of our site. Personally, I would suggest talking to an attorney rather than doing something potentially illegal.

mom2sysad · 04-09-2006, 02:58 AM

Thank you for your response. I think that technically, because the computer system is owned both by myself and by my husband, and because he is blocking my access to files that belong to both of us, I probably can get a court to release files to me. My fear, though, is that he will erase or move things once I get legal papers together.

adz · 04-09-2006, 03:31 AM

Well there may be a way. Have you ever heard of knoppix?... Or any other live distro? You should be able to get your files off without too much trouble. Then you can simply format the hard drive and reinstall whatever you like. It wont recover any password(s) for you but the files should be accessible.

My mistake.. I just reread your post and realised you only have remote access. Any chance of getting in front of it?

Nathanael · 04-09-2006, 04:36 AM

you can check your computer for ssh keys your husband left on hist account, boot your computer with knoppix if you dont have access to his account folders and files. but honestly, if you hacked into a computer he has restricted your access on, and this should turn out to a legal 'battle' you could become the bady in this picture for hacking into a computer you were not supposed to get root access to. so rather start the legal thingy now while you are still safe.

spooon · 04-09-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom2sysad

Well, the problem I'm having is that he took away my access to root, locked a bunch of pertinent financial files on his passworded account, and severely limited my access on my own account.

If you have physical access to the computer, then yes you can easily gain complete root access of it and change whatever you want. But I understand from your post that you do not have physical access (is this correct?); if that is the case I don't think there is much we can help you with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom2sysad

I can't view the etc/passwd or the etc/shadow file

Not being able to view /etc/shadow is normal; not being able to view /etc/passwd is a little bit odd

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom2sysad

I believe my own password still works, though I haven't logged off for fear that I will not be able to get back on again.

You can just try to open another connection without closing your previous one. By the way, when you say "log on", you mean remotely through SSH or something like that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom2sysad

I have limited remote access from our other computer, but I can't do anything from it.

What do you mean by you "can't do anything from it"?

Capt_Caveman · 04-09-2006, 10:01 PM

This thread is basically going where I had hoped it wouldn't, therefore I'm closing it. If you disagree with this action, feel free to contact the site administrator.