Root access issue from localhost

Question

I have a strange root access issue - I'm able to login as root via SSH but I'm not able login to the physical machine via terminal.

Some more info:

- running CentOS 6.4
- password authentication (no SSH key)
- nothing found for root at /var/log/secure
- I'm using terminal (KVM) connected directly to the localhost machine

/etc/securetty is

console
vc/1
vc/2
vc/3
vc/4
vc/5
vc/6
vc/7
vc/8
vc/9
vc/10
vc/11
tty1
tty2
tty2
tty3
tty4
tty5
tty6
tty7
tty8
tty9
tty10
tty11

Any clue what can be wrong?

Thanks

Are you SSHing in with a key or a password? What do the authentication logs say? What error do you get when attempting to log in? Are you sure you're connecting to the same machines (i.e. DNS/IP haven't changed unexpectedly)? Throw us a bone here, dude. — ceejayoz, May 08 '13 at 17:12
Set the root password (again) to be sure. And check the contents of `/etc/securetty`. — Hauke Laging, May 08 '13 at 17:32

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered May 08 '13 at 19:09

2

I guess you missing KVM port in /etc/sercuretty.

Do this:

echo "ttyS*" >> /etc/securetty

where * is the port number that KVM connect to.

Then try to login.

answered May 08 '13 at 19:09

cuonglm

2,346
2
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I'm using Tripp Lite KVM B020-U08-19 (USB/PS version). Will check it ASAP – Adam Interact May 08 '13 at 19:27

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 08 '13 at 19:00

0

Is there any chance that you got a dysfonctionnal keyboard ? It could be a physical problem or simply a charset/keymap problem.

Maybe you try to use a very simple password (just for the test case) and try to type your password in place of the login, at the prompt, to see if it echoes the password you are willing to enter.

Cheers.

K.

answered May 08 '13 at 19:00

Koreth

156
3

Used with test user on same machine, password slightly different from root - works, so I think keyboard (or mapping) is OK. – Adam Interact May 08 '13 at 19:20

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 08 '13 at 19:25

0

Is there anything in /etc/security/access.conf (or in another file) that should prevent Root from gaining a local access ? Can you, from your test user, make an "su -" ?

answered May 08 '13 at 19:25

Koreth

156
3

/etc/security/access.conf - all related to root is commented out. Yes, I'm able to do "su -". – Adam Interact May 08 '13 at 19:32

Root access issue from localhost

3 Answers3