Shadow password file question

[hercu1es23]

Good day,

I am reviewing a sample shadow file for unix.

However, the passowrd field is not the same format or consistent .........

In some cases, the password is encypted as it should be, in others, it is blank.
In addition to this some user entries contain "NONE", "X" or "NP"

I want to assume that all these variations means that there are no passwords............but i cannot find any documentation explaining these different values ....

can anyone explain or please let know of documentation that explains this.

Thank much

Herc

 

[kHz]

LK = Locked
NP = No Passwd

X = the password for the user is already in /etc/shadow and should not be modified (x is in /etc/passwd)

 

[hercu1es23]

Thank kHz,

If anyone know what the value 'X' or 'None' in the shadow file refers to............please let me know.

 

[p5wizard]

I would assume that those accounts are unable to logon, as that string can never be generated by encryption routines.

During logon, the password entered by the user is encrypted and compared with the stored password in the shadow file. If it matches, logon proceeds...

Perhaps your system reacts differently for the possible strings that are entered in the shadow file. You can always experiment with those accounts and see if you get a different message when trying to login with an account that has 'NP' or one that has 'None' (or 'X' or 'LK'). Just type whatever at the 'Password:' prompt and look at the resulting message/warning.



HTH,

p5wizard

 

[hercu1es23]

Good Idea......i will try that.

Thanks.

 

[marrow]

See man passwd
value of 'x' indicates that the password for the user is
already in /etc/shadow and should not be modified.