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UGU: Unix Guru Universe - Unix Tip #4536- August 12, 2025
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 Unix Tip #4536- August 12, 2025
 
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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