sudo not working in gutsy

ikarus · 12-04-2007, 08:36 AM

running a new install of 7.10 and trying to use "sudo" for various admin tasks on the command line and gui:

When I installed I created one user account and password. When I try to use the "sudo" command it prompts me for a password which I enter. I get various responses such as "Sorry, user <name> may not run sudo on gutsy." Other times it just returns to the prompt with no other effects at all.

Similarly, when using kpackage and trying to add repositories I get a password request which is not validated. Other admin tasks in the GUI yield similar results.

If I have somehow managed to screw up the system can anyone tell me how to put it straight without a major re-install

IK

Mega Man X · 12-04-2007, 08:53 AM

Can you access "System Settings" >> "User Management" at all? You may want to make sure your user is part of the admin. Also, how does your /etc/sudoers file look like? Here is mine:

Quote:

# /etc/sudoers
#
# This file MUST be edited with the 'visudo' command as root.
#
# See the man page for details on how to write a sudoers file.
# Defaults

Defaults !lecture,tty_tickets,!fqdn

# Uncomment to allow members of group sudo to not need a password
# %sudo ALL=NOPASSWD: ALL

# Host alias specification

# User alias specification

# Cmnd alias specification

# User privilege specification
root ALL=(ALL) ALL

# Members of the admin group may gain root privileges
%admin ALL=(ALL) ALL

Just so you know, you are not the only one having this problem, even in a fresh installation. I didn't have this problem as of yet though

ikarus · 12-04-2007, 10:36 AM

Many thanks for reply, Mega Man X -

Well of course I can't actually see my sudoers file as sudo doesn't work and I don't have read permission!!!

I can't even find the "user management " you refer to.

It's all most frustrating. Seems that Ubuntu has now gone too far in trying to prevent hackers from meddling. I've never liked the sudo idea and much prefer to use su with a proper root account.

IK

Mega Man X · 12-04-2007, 11:19 AM

That is sad to hear ikarus

. Do you have the same problem booting into safe mode? Because if you can boot into safe mode, you could try fixing the sudoers file or adding a new user.

As a last resort, you could boot up your Ubuntu Live/Install disk, mount your ubuntu partition and try to fix it from there, hopefully.

aysiu · 12-04-2007, 09:35 PM

You can fix sudo by following these instructions

ikarus · 12-04-2007, 11:31 PM

Excellent and many thanks to both of you. I managed to use recovery mode successfully. My user was missing from the group file and adding this has not only fixed the sudo problem but has provided more access to programs in the "system,admin" menu as well.

All seems good at the moment so now off to add repositories and customise generally.

Cheers
IK