[ILUG] "User root does not exist"

[kevin lyda]

On Tue, Jun 20, 2000 at 11:59:55AM +0100, rdermody at lexmark.com wrote:
> While trying su - root I get the following error.
> "User root does not exist".
> Any ideas anybody?

yeah, your /etc/passwd file is in an unhappy state.  i can't think
of a kind way to express how i know this to be true, but it is.

the solution is to use an already open root session to fix up /etc/passwd.
if that's not possible the solution might involve powering off the machine
(c-a-d won't work since init can't find the root user to run reboot
with) and then rebooting with a rescue disk or with linux init=/bin/sh
alternatively you could try to find a daemon running as root and try to
run an exploit script of some kind.

kevin
-- 
kevin at suberic.net       "we were goin' for breakfast.  in canada.  we
fork()'ed on 37058400    made a deal: if she'd stop hookin', i'd stop
meatspace place: work    shootin' people.  maybe we were aiming high."
                                                   --porter, "payback"