Briefly explain where and in what format user passwords are stored in a typical Linux system.
Briefly explain where and in what format user passwords are stored in a typical Linux system.
Database System Concepts
7th Edition
ISBN:9780078022159
Author:Abraham Silberschatz Professor, Henry F. Korth, S. Sudarshan
Publisher:Abraham Silberschatz Professor, Henry F. Korth, S. Sudarshan
Chapter1: Introduction
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1PE
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Question
![**Title: Storage and Format of User Passwords in a Typical Linux System**
**Description:**
In a typical Linux system, user passwords are securely stored in a specific file and format. Here is a brief explanation:
**Location:**
User passwords are stored in the `/etc/shadow` file. This file is readable only by the root user to ensure the security of the passwords.
**Format:**
Each entry in the `/etc/shadow` file corresponds to a user, and it contains several fields separated by colons. The second field in each entry usually contains the hashed password. Here is an example format of an entry in the `/etc/shadow` file:
```
username:$id$salt$hashed_password:...
```
- `username`: The user's login name.
- `id`: An identifier that specifies the hashing algorithm used.
- `salt`: A random value added to the password before hashing to ensure that identical passwords do not result in the same hash.
- `hashed_password`: The hashed version of the user's password.
By storing hashed passwords instead of plain-text passwords, the system enhances security, making it more difficult for attackers to decipher user passwords even if they gain access to the `/etc/shadow` file.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fd741e8f5-7a44-49a4-88a4-ec2e5c0e7595%2Fd09ebec8-68fd-41eb-9f78-fdbb0d011c89%2F5kgi098_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Storage and Format of User Passwords in a Typical Linux System**
**Description:**
In a typical Linux system, user passwords are securely stored in a specific file and format. Here is a brief explanation:
**Location:**
User passwords are stored in the `/etc/shadow` file. This file is readable only by the root user to ensure the security of the passwords.
**Format:**
Each entry in the `/etc/shadow` file corresponds to a user, and it contains several fields separated by colons. The second field in each entry usually contains the hashed password. Here is an example format of an entry in the `/etc/shadow` file:
```
username:$id$salt$hashed_password:...
```
- `username`: The user's login name.
- `id`: An identifier that specifies the hashing algorithm used.
- `salt`: A random value added to the password before hashing to ensure that identical passwords do not result in the same hash.
- `hashed_password`: The hashed version of the user's password.
By storing hashed passwords instead of plain-text passwords, the system enhances security, making it more difficult for attackers to decipher user passwords even if they gain access to the `/etc/shadow` file.
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