Root Password Reset: Difference between revisions
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== Resetting the root account password on the PVE Host == | == Resetting the root account password on the PVE Host == | ||
The following | The following follows the general method for resetting a root password on a Linux machine, if you have access to the console see e.g.: | ||
* [https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch04.en.html#_securing_the_root_password the Debian Handbook] | |||
* [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Reset_lost_root_password the Arch Linux Wiki entry] | |||
* [https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Linux_Guide/Reset_a_forgotten_root_password the entry in WikiBooks] | |||
for similar suggestions. | |||
Keep in mind that editing the kernel command-line might need a different key-entry based on your boot-loader (<code>e</code> works for both <code>grub</code> and <code>systemd-boot</code> though). | |||
The method works for Proxmox VE until version 8.1 and should work for many other Linux based Operating systems as well: | |||
=== Method 1 === | === Method 1 === | ||
* Boot into | * Boot into your bootloader (mostly <code>grub</code> or <code>systemd-boot</code>, select your preferred kernel but '''do not press enter'''. | ||
* Press '''e''' to go into '''edit''' mode. | * Press '''e''' to go into '''edit''' mode. | ||
* | * Depending on the boot-loader go to the kernel-commandline entry: | ||
* Scroll to the end of that line and | ** For <code>grub</code>: scroll down to the <code>kernel</code> line you will boot from, it starts with <code>linux /vmlinuz-...</code> | ||
* | ** For <code>systemd-boot</code> the kernel commandline is directly editable | ||
* Scroll to the end of that line, optionally remove the <code>quiet</code> in the line and append <code> init=/bin/bash</code> | |||
* For <code>grub</code> press <code>Ctrl X</code> to boot, for <code>systemd-boot</code> simply press Enterg | |||
In the resulting shell: | |||
# Remount / as Read/Write | # Remount / as Read/Write | ||
mount | mount -o remount,rw / | ||
# Change the root account password with | # Change the root account password with | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
* [http://c-nergy.be/blog/?p=1777 Griffon's IT Library] - [[Media:Debian-PVE-root-Password-Reset_pdf.zip|Cache]] | * [http://c-nergy.be/blog/?p=1777 Griffon's IT Library] - [[Media:Debian-PVE-root-Password-Reset_pdf.zip|Cache]] | ||
* https://wiki.debian.org/Root | * https://wiki.debian.org/Root | ||
[[Category: HOWTO]] [[Category:System Administration]] | [[Category: HOWTO]] [[Category:System Administration]] | ||
Revision as of 15:20, 22 January 2024
Resetting the root account password on the PVE Host
The following follows the general method for resetting a root password on a Linux machine, if you have access to the console see e.g.:
for similar suggestions.
Keep in mind that editing the kernel command-line might need a different key-entry based on your boot-loader (e works for both grub and systemd-boot though).
The method works for Proxmox VE until version 8.1 and should work for many other Linux based Operating systems as well:
Method 1
- Boot into your bootloader (mostly
gruborsystemd-boot, select your preferred kernel but do not press enter. - Press e to go into edit mode.
- Depending on the boot-loader go to the kernel-commandline entry:
- For
grub: scroll down to thekernelline you will boot from, it starts withlinux /vmlinuz-... - For
systemd-bootthe kernel commandline is directly editable
- For
- Scroll to the end of that line, optionally remove the
quietin the line and appendinit=/bin/bash - For
grubpressCtrl Xto boot, forsystemd-bootsimply press Enterg
In the resulting shell:
# Remount / as Read/Write mount -o remount,rw /
# Change the root account password with passwd
# Change any other account password with passwd username
# type new password, confirm and hit enter and then reboot.
Method 2
- Boot from another installation of Debian. (One can use a LiveCD to get access to the "/" partition.)
- Then, mount the partition where you have Debian's "/" (root directory), then change directory to /mnt/etc
- Used vim / nano as an editor to edit the file shadow.
- Find the line starting with root: (or another username)
- Delete everything between the first and second colons (:), and the line will now look like:
root::$6$fsdsdgdsg74.:14862:0:99999:7:::
- Reboot and login as root (or another username as used above) without a password.
- At the end use passwd to set a new password for the root account (or passwd username to change any account password).
- Reboot and login as root with the new root password.
Resetting the root account password in a Container
- Enter the working container and change the password using:
pct enter <VEID> passwd <new password> exit
- When using OpenVZ containers (up to PVE 3.4) use
vzctl enter <VEID>
to enter the container.