Re: Query abouut root account

[Alex Mestiashvili <mailatgoogl@gmail.com>]

On 07/16/2012 10:01 AM, Bret Busby wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I have a server that is running Firestarter on Debian 5.
>
> I have forgotten the root password, and have not logged into root on
> that computer, or updated the system, for about a year, I think.
>
> I do remember a user login, and have successfully "ssh'd" into the
> system as that user.
>
> Is there some way that I can access the root account, and replace the
> password, without having to overwrite the system via installing a new
> system to replace what exists?
>
> Thank you in anticipation.
>
> -- 
> Bret Busby
> Armadale
> West Australia
> ..............
>
> "So once you do know what the question actually is,
>  you'll know what the answer means."
> - Deep Thought,
>   Chapter 28 of Book 1 of
>   "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
>   A Trilogy In Four Parts",
>   written by Douglas Adams,
>   published by Pan Books, 1992
> ....................................................

Hi,

If you can access the computer physically you can boot using
init=/bin/bash and mount options for root fs  as rw.
than you will need to run passwd to set the new password.

Or just use one of the old root exploits :)

Regards,
Alex