[users]Re: Linux Vs Windows in security (II)

[Chris]

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:17:00 +0100
"(``-_-´´) -- Fernando" <ubuntu at bugabundo.net> wrote:

> On Wednesday 29 August 2007 13:10:36 Chris wrote:
> > On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:19:06 +0100
> > "(``-_-´´) -- Fernando" <ubuntu at bugabundo.net> wrote:
> > 
> > > On Monday 13 August 2007 22:06:32 Cesar Augusto Suarez wrote:
> > > > so, however, if i  have remote access  by ssh to a linux
> > > > machine, can i change the root pass if i dont know it? just in
> > > > case
> > > 
> > > Yes you can, as long as the user connecting to the sshd as sudo
> > > permitions. Just ssh USER at MACHINE
> > > and then do sudo passwd root
> > > 
> > 
> > Fernando missread your question - The real answer is ...
> > 
> > "if i  have remote access  by ssh to a linux machine,
> > can i change the root pass if i dont know it?"
> >  
> > NO - You can't change the root password if you don't know the root
> > password. You CAN however, IF you DO.
> > 
> > There is a way to do this however, you NEED to be at the console.
> 
> Well, either you or me are mistaken.
> 'cause anyone who has access to sudo, can change the root pass, EVEN
> without knowing it.
> 

Actually (and technically) the "root" account is locked by default in
Ubuntu - meaning you can't login as root.

Since this IS an Ubuntu list, Fernando "technically" answered correctly
however, in Linux (and for that matter Unix) you can't.

-- 
Best regards,
Chris
Registerd Linux user number 448639