[rhn-users] Root login with telnet

[Joe Ogulin]

Michael Chien wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I've noticed that when trying to telnet into RHEL AS 4, and NOT using
> SSH, I am unable to log in as root directly, I have to log in as user
> and SU.
> 
> But with SSH connection, I can login with root account straight away.
> 
> Is there a way to change this security feature so direct root login can
> be done with regular telnet?

There probably is (I'm not going to bother researching it), but it
is a really bad idea to do that, as the telnet protocol sends clear
text passwords over the network... assuming you are not on a kerberized
system/subnet.

Realisitically, you should also edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config
and change the "PermitRootLogin" option.  Setting it to "without-password"
will allow you to log in if you have the appropriate /root/.ssh/authroized_keys
permissions.

Joe

-- 
Joe Ogulin
Sr. Secure Systems Software Engineer
BAE Systems IT

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