how to make "passwd" accept blank passwords?

[sdousley]

To me, a blank password is a string consisting of just the terminating NUL character.

So it encrypts the NULL character, NULL is something i would have thought.

[scm]

To me, a blank password is a string consisting of just the terminating NUL character.

So it encrypts the NULL character, NULL is something i would have thought.

No, NUL isn't a real character - it simply marks the end of the (empty) string you're encrypting.

[ghee22]

Rehashed from "How to create a linux user with an empty/blank password at Leo's Random Stuff" (leo.steamr.com/?p=171).

1. Generate hash for blank password (last line is hash):

   openssl passwd -1 -salt ADUODeAy
   Password: [enter]
   $1$ADUODeAy$eCJ1lPSxhSGmSvrmWxjLC1

2. Insert hash into /etc/shadow file in affected user's line, after first colon.
3. Modify /etc/ssh/sshd_config file's value of

   PermitEmptyPasswords no

   to

   PermitEmptyPasswords yes

4. Restart sshd:

   service sshd restart

[jayd512]

Hi, ghee22!

This thread is close to 7 years old close. So locking it.
Please feel free to post more help if you can though!