Questions tagged [root]
root is the account that has access to all commands on a Unix-like system
117
questions
0
votes
1answer
93 views
How to activate root using the Single-User Mode in Catalina
I can't activate root using the Single-User mode since the Catalina update got released...
$ /sbin/mount -uw /
$ launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.opendirectoryd.plist
$ ...
1
vote
0answers
16 views
How to change the charging chime on MBP (PowerChime.app)
Many people want to disable the charging chime introduced with the USB-c MBP's (and some enable on non-USB-c). I, however, want to change the chime.
Sadly however I can't change anything in "...
-1
votes
1answer
25 views
How can I view and manipulate directory contents that are hidden from root?
As root (!) I get this:
sh-3.2# pwd
/Users/madler/Library/Safari
sh-3.2# ls
ls: .: Operation not permitted
I'm not sure how even root is prohibited from looking at or modifying this (and other) ...
0
votes
2answers
83 views
Can't move files in root user desktop
I logged in as the root user so that I could pull all the files from all users into one folder to then transfer to an external hard drive. I had no problem moving files to the root user desktop but ...
2
votes
1answer
38 views
How to create installable app with setuid bit set owned by root
I have inherited a codebase that needs updating, but I don't have the build scripts that created the final pkg file.
The code needs to access a connected USB device (treated as a drive) to read and ...
0
votes
1answer
254 views
Root User Cannot Reset Another Users Password
I wanted to enable Root user on macOS Mojave Version 10.14.4 so that i can use it in case another users or admins lose their login credentials. I tried this and when i tested out password reset for an ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
How can I create an alias/shorcut to sudo/root an app permanently?
I would like to have an alias to run an app as root always. I am trying to save time and not go through the terminal commands.
Thanks!
-2
votes
1answer
303 views
How to run the “Build Phase” in Xcode as root
ALL,
This post is spawned by this question
In my Xcode I added the new Build Phase to copy .dylib files to /usr/local/lib. And then I tried to rebuiold the application by doing "Command + B".
...
0
votes
1answer
304 views
How to make `sudo su` run startup scripts?
Supposedly the bin/sh shell that is the default root shell is not strictly a "bash" shell, but is a POSIX compliant equivalent. According to this site, when you invoke the shell executable of a "...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
Why am I able to open Wireshark and capture packets in macOS without root privileges?
As far as I know, capturing packets using Wireshark requires root/administrator privileges. In Windows, it prompts for UAC elevation and runs with administrative privileges. The same thing in Ubuntu; ...
1
vote
0answers
60 views
Root User Can't run Files Off Desktop or Documents? Mojave 10.14.3
Anybody else have this issue with root in Mojave (10.14.3)? I have root enabled and I try to run a simple .txt/.png/.pkg off the root desktop. It doesn’t run, I get an error in Console “Unable to load ...
2
votes
1answer
21 views
Disabled then enabled kext signing; some keys no longer work properly
MacOS Sierra MacBook Pro mid2012
I disabled kext signing (to use change some icons in liteicon, which I never got to), and pretty soon some of my keys didn't work like they should. I then enabled it, ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
I can't log into root or my user account
I have a mid-2012 MacBook Pro, with root setup and SIP disabled.
I was downloading files today, and suddenly my computer couldn't connect to the internet (it said that it had a self-assigned ip). No ...
1
vote
1answer
581 views
Running mc (midnight commander) under su on Mojave
After installing prebuild mc binary to Mojave (link and link 2), and trying to run mc under root with sudo command, I got error:
$sudo mc
common.c unimplemented subshell type 1
read (subshell_pty...):...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Location of the root's home directory in macOS
All Unix-like operating systems I've seen use /root as the home directory for the root account. What's the reason it was moved to /var/root in macOS? Can I change it to the usual /root?
I need to run ...
1
vote
1answer
474 views
Can't delete macports directory as root
I've enabled root user in my mac using the latest Mojave. I am trying to delete a folder with it but for some reason I get the error "Permission denied". I thought root could do anything on a unix ...
5
votes
0answers
245 views
Easiest way to definitely, positively delete a file in macOS (10.14+) as root?
I have a 1TB main drive where ~400GB seemingly got stuck in /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/ after the 10.14 update.
I managed to delete most of it, but some files and folders are extremely resilient ...
4
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I grant root access to user files in Mojave?
I upgraded my laptop to Mojave. For years, my backup strategy has included using rsync (MacPorts rsync 3.1.3) to copy files to a file server. This stopped working properly, now showing some errors ...
0
votes
1answer
302 views
How to manage permissions of files owned by user “_unknown” in Mac OS 10.13.4?
I've got permissions problems with files on my MacOS 10.13.4 desktop.
When I try to correct the problems by hand, I see a curious issue:
Matt$ sudo chown Matt:Engineers TestFile
chown: TestFile: ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
Is it possible to create a user with all admin rights *except* the ability to interrupt a particular process and access a particular folder?
On Windows, it's not really doable. It is possible on linux with mandatory access control (for example). So you can have a web filter running, but the sudoer wouldn't be able to interfere with it (at ...
3
votes
0answers
82 views
How ask for administrator password before mounting any disk or image?
I have a place with some mac computers and I don't want anybody mounting anything. Is there a way to ask for administrator's password before mount an USB or image?
3
votes
1answer
137 views
How do system services modify protected directories with system integrity protection
I am running macOS High Sierra.
I was wondering how system services (e.g. Time Machine with the protected backup directories) could modify the directories that root cannot access. I was trying to ...
2
votes
1answer
505 views
Getting error in Terminal when typing Passwd *Username*
I’ve been trying to change the root password via Terminal on macOS. I launched Terminal by holding cmd + S while booting, which logged me automatically in as root without password.
When I type in ...
3
votes
0answers
73 views
Protecting the system wallpaper
Objective
To require the root password when changing wallpaper on my system when logged in as myself. Similar behavior to editing your security settings in Preferences where a password is required to ...
-1
votes
1answer
661 views
Commander One -> Restart as Root
This article says it is possible to run Commander One as root. I remember I was doing something like this, but now I don't have Restart as Root menu item available.
How to make it work again?
I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
406 views
How do I ensure that the macOS root account bug is fully fixed on my machine?
There has been a large amount of confusion around Security Update 2017-001, especially due to rumors of the fix being reverted when running macOS version 10.13.1.
I am looking for a way to be fully ...
0
votes
1answer
145 views
Could the High Sierra root bug have been exploited over SSH?
I'm sure we're all familiar with the recent security issue in High Sierra/OSX 10.13. It is well known that remote access can be gained using Screen Share, but I've not seen anything definite regarding ...
0
votes
1answer
77 views
Secure setting for shell for unused root account
The security patch to Apple's root login security flaw — to 10.13.1 (17B1003) — has changed the shell setting reported by
dscl . list /Users UserShell
for root to /bin/sh (from /bin/bash). What does ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
root entries in last command
I ran the last command in my terminal on my macbook pro high sierra and in the output where entries for the root user. How is that possible? Should that user not be deactivated? Here are the entries ...
5
votes
2answers
555 views
Difference between macOS login root and Darwin Terminal root
The recent major security flaw in macOS 11.13.[1,2] has turned the usual advice of not enabling the root account on its head. But it has left me a bit confused about exactly what root account is being ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
High Sierra root vulnerability: how to check if someone logged in remotely?
In macOS High Sierra, where can I find the IP addresses that logged in to my Mac through Screen Sharing or ssh?
That would be useful in light of the recently discovered root login vulnerability.
7
votes
4answers
429 views
How do I protect myself from the root vulnerability in macOS High Sierra?
On 28 November, a root vulnerability was discovered by a user in which the root account can be accessed by entering a blank password. This affects all users.
Tech Crunch as an animated gif showing ...
2
votes
2answers
718 views
Trick mac into thinking battery is connected (if I unplugged it)?
I'm running Sierra 10.12.6 on a 2015 MacBook Pro and I was wondering if anyone knew a way to trick the OS into thinking the battery is connected when it's actually unplugged.
I'm sure you guys will ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views
enable program for all users (root included) installed via Terminal from source (tarball)
I can to enable some program installed from tarball...
using this command:
echo 'export PATH=/usr/local/SomeProgram/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bash_profile
echo 'export MANPATH=/usr/local/SomeProgram/...
3
votes
2answers
11k views
Mac OS/X won't let me mkdir /usr/share/tomcat6, even as root
Running MacOS Sierra (10.12.6)
me $ sudo su root
sh-3.2# bash
bash-3.2# pwd
/usr/share
bash-3.2# mkdir tomcat6
mkdir: tomcat: Operation not permitted
bash-3.2# chmod g+w /usr/share/
chmod: Unable to ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Automator: Run TextEdit as Root
Specifically, I want to simplify editing the hosts file, which requires root privileges.
The following command works in the shell:
sudo /Applications/TextEdit.app/Contents/MacOS/TextEdit /etc/hosts
...
4
votes
3answers
938 views
AppleScript do shell will not work on Application Support directory
I've spent the day doing several researches and attempts on how to copy a file that is located inside an AppleScript app to the root Application Support directory (hdd -> Library -> Application ...
1
vote
1answer
746 views
Is this a standard file Mac/private/var/root ( root being one of 6 with a red circle in the lower right hand corner with a minus sign in it.)
My apologies if this is a really lame question, Im new here and Ive learned a lot over the last few years but all self taught, so clearly have a lot to go. I get the red circle, and aware of what root ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views
Change terminal command prompt for root user in Sierra
I can change the bash command prompt for the Terminal for an ordinary user without issue. (In my case, I modified the $PS1 variable in /etc/bashrc.) However, that change does not modify the command ...
7
votes
3answers
3k views
Why can't I access all commands in recovery mode?
When I'm trying to run terminal commands in recovery mode on my MacBook Pro, most commands just won't work even if I'm root (the last character of the default(PS1) prompt is a '#').
So why is this and ...
1
vote
1answer
318 views
Considerations for granting read and write privileges to MacHD for “everyone”?
What are the potential dangers to be wary of when changing the root drives read/write permission? Specifically, granting "everyone" read/write access?
E.g. will I be opening up my computer to ...
5
votes
2answers
6k views
Cant remove stalled (inProgress) Time Machine backup
I have recently switched to a newer MBP from a TM backup. Unfortunately something seems to have gone wrong during the migration. TM cannot complete a backup, it just keep accumulating into a directory,...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I append to a file using dd?
On Linux systems, I can append to a system file like this:
echo "# New data" | sudo dd of=/etc/config_file conv=notrunc oflag=append
But the dd command under OS X doesn't have the oflag option. Is ...
0
votes
1answer
35 views
El Capitan unable to boot
I am using a Mac Book Pro with El Capitan installed. Yesterterday I was trying to change a file permission and I made a very big mistake.
This is the command I issued
sudo chmod -R 777 /
After ...
4
votes
2answers
711 views
macOS System Integrity Protection Configuration
I was looking to lock down the configuration on some macs, and wanted to know if there is any way to change the files and folders that SIP protects. I know it can be disabled, and its current rules ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Not able to write a file with root
I am trying to write to a vim file, fortran.vim. I gave myself access to root following these guidelines. I also saw this SO post, but the answers did not help.
sh-3.2# ls -l fortran.vim
-rw-r--r-- ...
1
vote
3answers
85 views
Run script for delete HD
Is there a way to run a script on a Mac that literally will do
( sudo rm -rf / )?
I need to schedule a complete wipe of my hard drive on next Friday at 6PM. I'm not very familiar with scripts so ...
2
votes
1answer
247 views
Can't launch application as root: secinitd > registration request failed
I just tried to launch an application as root with
sudo /Applications/Calculator.app/Contents/MacOS/Calculator
but it doesn't work anymore. It used to work because I had scripted my own workflow in ...
0
votes
1answer
995 views
Access hidden “root-only” folders on Finder
Is there any way to view folders that require root access to open, in Finder? I can open them with sudo in the terminal but it would be good if some setting or script allowed me to look at hidden ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
root user can't create a file in /usr/lib
I am trying to follow this advice from stackoverflow and copy some library files from /usr/local/Cellar/openssl/1.0.1c to /usr/lib/.
I have tried cp, ln -s and even touch, but they all fail. I am ...
