where does 'su' look to determine if a user exists?

MisterESauce · 04-12-2005, 06:50 PM

hey guys, i'm trying to 'chroot' ftp users to their home directories automatically upon login. i've copied over all the files i thought were necessary to do this but i get "/bin/su: user username does not exist". i've created /etc/passwd and /etc/group files in username's home directory that i'm trying to chroot to. what else does su look for when switching to username?

please help!

herbc · 04-12-2005, 08:30 PM

man su says

"/etc/password - user account information"

Vizion · 04-13-2005, 12:15 AM

I do not know whether it is a typo but /etc/password and /etc/group in username's home directory?????

I don't get it

David

IchBin · 04-13-2005, 12:22 AM

in the /etc directory in the passwd file.

MisterESauce · 04-13-2005, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vizion
I do not know whether it is a typo but /etc/password and /etc/group in username's home directory?????

I don't get it

yah, i'm trying to chroot "username" to /home/username so i have etc as a subdir...

herbc · 04-13-2005, 09:18 AM

having a password file in username's home directory would kind of defeat the purpose of the password file. /etc is a branch off the / (top) directory. Try typing 'cd /etc' without the quotes to enter the directory. 'less password' will display the password file.

Or, you could type 'less /etc/password' to display the file from your home directory.

I suggest you check out the RUTE tutorial.