Unable to Sudo: Pam Authentication Error: Module Is Unknown [Closed]
After a Typo in a Change to /Etc/Pam. D/Sudo No User Can Sudo at All. the Package Cannot Be Modified as It Requires Sudo Privileges, but All Attempts Result in...
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After a typo in a change to /etc/pam.d/sudo no user can sudo at all. The package cannot be modified as it requires sudo privileges, but all attempts result in rm: cannot remove ‘/etc/pam.d/sudo’: Permission denied and attemps to escalate to sudo result in sudo: PAM authentication error: Module is unknown. The package cannot be removed as it requires sudo. What is there to be done?
My account was part of the sudoers group, was able to pkexec vi /etc/pam.d/sudo and make the appropriate changes to the file as described here
In this situation where root access is required you have 2 options: (1) acquire the root password and fix pam.d/sudo or (2) boot with the install media with init=/bin/bash (or linux init=/bin/bash using LILO).
If you can't get the root password and must rely on the install media, then you will need to boot the install media, at the grub or lilo menu choose Boot Options and set:
init=/bin/bash (if you are using GRUB Boot loader)
linux init=/bin/bash (if you are using LILO Boot Loader)
Then check that the / filesystem is mounted read/write with the mount command. If not rw, then:
mount -o remount,rw /
You can then modify/replace pam.d/sudo. Reboot or telinit. (Note: you will need to modify the commands for systemd)
David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.
