Unix Tip #4536- August 12, 2023


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NULL ROOT PASSWD WITHOUT VI


As admins We never forget the root password,
RIGHT?

Although sometimes we do inherit machines in
which we don't know the root password.

Here is a way to null the root password from
the password file.

It comes a time in every admins life that we
will have to go into mini-root and change the
password file without the use of vi.

The following example shows how to achieve this
on the /etc/shadow file, but the same basic
commands can be achieved on the /etc/passwd file
for those platforms that don't support shadow
passwords.

Use "ed" - and the 13 dots method
---------------------------------
# cp /etc/shadow /etc/shadow.bak
# ed /etc/shadow
1p
s/:.............:/::/
1p
w
q


NOTE: All tips provided are USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Tips are submitted by various unix admins around the globe. UGU suggest you read and test each tip in a non-volitile environment before placing into production.


LAST 5 TIPS
4535 - THE EXECUTION OF FIND
4534 - PROTECT THE ROOT DIRECTORY AT ALL COST
4533 - KEEP THOSE DAEMONS RUNNING
4532 - BE CAREFUL WITH NIS+
4531 - TAKE NOTES AT 3AM


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