pw corrupts files

[Daniel Conlon [Donhost]]

I have a FreeBSD 3.4 box with about 4000 users. I use the 'pw' program
called from scripts to create new accounts and to change passwords. On this
system there is nothing other than the 'pw' program which would have cause
to change the password files on the system. Users do not have shell access
etc. so it is only the scripts and thus 'pw' which deals with the password
files.

On two separate occasions the password files on the system have become
corrupted. On the first occasion, /etc/master.passwd was truncated about
half way down and /etc/passwd was left unharmed. On the second occasion both
/etc/master.passwd and /etc/passwd were truncated at the same point once
again about half way down.

I have read of similar problems in the list archives occurring on busy boxes
where 'pw' is being invoked regularly but have found no explanation or fix.
This is obviously a serious problem as on both occasions the root user has
been removed from the system.

Any pointers or help you could offer on this would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Daniel Conlon
Donhost Ltd.

##########################
Tel: +44 (0)800 956 7642
Mob: +44 (0)7939 268 799
Fax: +44 (0)8707 41 51 07
http://www.donhost.co.uk
##########################

To Unsubscribe: send mail to majo...@FreeBSD.org
with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message

[Dru]

Hi Daniel,

You may find the "enteruser" script to be helpful here. You'll find the
script and an excellent article regarding its use at:

http://www.de.daemonnews.org/199908/enteruser.html

HTH,

Dru