password lost

[Omar Cantu]

i lost the root password and dont can access the system, how can i change the root password? i dont have other acount to access, the systes is a N4000/HPUX 11.00

[Ashwani Kashyap · Accepted solution]

Then the only way is to reboot the system . Halt the boot and boot it in single user mode ( Do an hpux -is at ISL prompt ) .

THis will allow you to login without any password . Change the password and bring the system to the desired run level .

[Pete Randall]

Rebooting to single user is the best, however, you could try to find someone else that is already logged in as root, or you could download and run a password guessing program like crack.

Pete

[Omar Cantu]

I try change the root password from the single user mode but dont work becouse i don have the old password, in Solaris the solution is edit the /etc/shadow file, exist this file in HPUX?

[Evert Ladrak]

When you are in single user mode. Edit the /etc/passwd file and remove the encrypted password for the root userid.

Exit editor
and type passwd root
enter new password for the root user

go multi user and enjoy.

Note. Unless you run C2 security with password switched on for single user, you don't need the password for single user mode, unlike solaris.

-ETL

[Michael Tully]

Hold on there....

If the response is that you have to type in the old password, then you are either not in single-user mode, or you have a trusted system that has the root password actually protected.

Type this in from the command line to check.

# /usr/lbin/getprpw (if the response is "System is not trusted" then you can edit the /etc/passwd file).

If it is not, then you will need to remove the encryption from the /tcb database

[Michael Tully]

I have two suggestions for you, if the system is in fact trusted.

1. Edit the root passwd file
Go in to the /tcb/files/auth/r dir and vi the root file.

make :u_pwd=aKYOsuz9RLCQU:\ look like :u_pwd=:
The change the root password.

2. un-trust the system.

# /usr/lbin/tsconvert -r
Change the passwd and re-trust the system
# passwd root
# /usr/lbin/tsconvert

Be aware that changing the system to un-trusted and trusted again will change all users passwords. See this link for some additional comments.

http://forums.itrc.hp.com/cm/QuestionAnswer/1,,0xbb1dcb60e503d6118ff40090279cd0f9,00.html

[Elif Gius]

Hi,

for those cases it would be the best to have the root password saved in a file and secure it with PGP. Then you have the password when you need it.
We have installed SSH on our system...therefor we can access the system without "knowing" the password.

As solution for your problem : if your system is a trusted system.

- edit the root passwd file
change into the /tcb/files/auth/r directory and vi the root file.

- make :u_pwd=nhO8dn9G3KbtQYkeird9Uj/k:\ look like :u_pwd=:

- or copy from another system the root passwd from which you know it


Good luck!

[NightHawk_1]

Let's hope this not someone who has stolen an hp computer and is now trying to bypass someones password, HEHEHEHE.

[Omar Cantu]

Thank to all, this is a trusted system, already i could edit the root password file following your instructions and this working now :) i am new with HPUX, i realy administer SUN/Solaris but the administrator to HPUX are of the honeymoon by 3 weeks and my boss failure 3 times type password and block the root password and request me help.
regards for all :)