Arch Linux

wilbert-vb

Member

From: Tulsa, OK

Registered: 2013-05-17

Posts: 4

authentication error with shell=/usr/bin/bash

Hello there,

I'm comfortable with linux, but new with Arch Linux. Recently I completed an installation with success but I ran into a strange authentication error at login.

Before adding a user I verified the path of the bash shell and 'which bash' returned /usr/bin/bash.
So I added a user with shell /usr/bin/bash and the line in /etc/passwd reads similar to:

newuser:x:1000:100:His name:/home/newuser:/usr/bin/bash

With this line I get an authentication error from login
And when I change the shell to /bin/bash, the user is able to login with success.

I have found similar problem reports, but not this solution.

I hope to get some help with understanding this issue, to me it seems wrong to point the shell in /etc/passwd to a symbolic link.

falconindy

Developer

From: New York, USA

Registered: 2009-10-22

Posts: 4,111

Website

Re: authentication error with shell=/usr/bin/bash

login encounters pam_shells in its authentication stack which means that /etc/shells defines valid login shells for users. /bin/bash is listed in /etc/shells, not /usr/bin/bash.

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blog | ±github

wilbert-vb

Member

From: Tulsa, OK

Registered: 2013-05-17

Posts: 4

Re: authentication error with shell=/usr/bin/bash

Thank you very much, falconindy.

My first reaction is "But what if /usr becomes inaccessible", also /bin/sh is a symlink.
But I guess with rescue options from initramfs or live CD/usb, this is not a big issue anymore.

I have added /usr/bin/bash to /etc/shells.

Last edited by wilbert-vb (2013-05-18 12:55:45)