Questions tagged [root]
root is the account that has access to all commands on a Unix-like system
0
votes
1answer
50 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
1k 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
27 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
15 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
32 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
264 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:
$sudo mc
common.c unimplemented subshell type 1
read (subshell_pty...):...
1
vote
2answers
994 views
Location of the root's home directory in macOS
All Unix-like operating systems I've seen use /root as the home directory for the root account. What's the reason it was moved to /var/root in macOS? Can I change it to the usual /root?
I need to run ...
1
vote
1answer
242 views
Can't delete macports directory as root
I've enabled root user in my mac using the latest Mojave. I am trying to delete a folder with it but for some reason I get the error "Permission denied". I thought root could do anything on a unix ...
5
votes
0answers
190 views
Easiest way to definitely, positively delete a file in macOS (10.14+) as root?
I have a 1TB main drive where ~400GB seemingly got stuck in /Volumes/Time Machine Backups/ after the 10.14 update.
I managed to delete most of it, but some files and folders are extremely resilient ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I grant root access to user files in Mojave?
I upgraded my laptop to Mojave. For years, my backup strategy has included using rsync (MacPorts rsync 3.1.3) to copy files to a file server. This stopped working properly, now showing some errors ...
0
votes
1answer
172 views
How to manage permissions of files owned by user “_unknown” in Mac OS 10.13.4?
I've got permissions problems with files on my MacOS 10.13.4 desktop.
When I try to correct the problems by hand, I see a curious issue:
Matt$ sudo chown Matt:Engineers TestFile
chown: TestFile: ...
2
votes
1answer
49 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
116 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
260 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
57 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
361 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
369 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
144 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
68 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
49 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
453 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
411 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
470 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
59 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/...
1
vote
2answers
6k 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
705 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
580 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
2k 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
222 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
1answer
5k 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
1k 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
515 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
54 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
83 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
212 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
778 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
992 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 ...
2
votes
5answers
9k views
Only root login remains (all other users gone) and even root hangs, so can't access!
We have been locked out of our iMac running on El Capitan. Basically all known user accounts have disappeared. Only "other" remains which seems to the "system administrator" or "root" and when trying ...
2
votes
0answers
67 views
Is adding root to the user group staff safe?
So it seems my library folders are owned by my user, and staff is the user group.
When I run commands in sudo, I get warnings from programs like pip that root doesn't own the folder/file.
To avoid ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
What is “ss_conn_service ” running on OS X?
I'm using OS X El Capitan on iMac 21.5". As an experienced user, I follow activity monitor sometimes for security of my device. For 2-3 days,"ss_conn_service" is running on my device. I cannot ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
How do I delete useless Apple Apps on OSX?
I tried using terminal with sudo or su, while I do rm -rf to Photos.app, Chess.app, Mail.app, DVD Player.app, iBooks.app, but it said Operation not permitted.
How can I delete these apps?
(OS X ...
3
votes
1answer
9k views
Configure sandbox permissions
While trying to modify a property list I was rather surprised to receive the following error
sh-3.2# cp com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist com.apple.mDSNResponder.plist.backup
cp: com.apple.mDSNResponder....
1
vote
1answer
996 views
root permissions [duplicate]
After I installed el Capitan, Little Snitch started complaining about gamed trying to phone home. Research in the net revealed various suggestions, including
logging out from the Game Centre
using ...
0
votes
1answer
915 views
Any reason not to change the root shell to bash?
The default shell for root (at least on Yosemite) is /bin/sh. Would there be any problem to changing it to bash (or better yet zsh)? As far as a I know bash at least is backward compatible.
I need ...
0
votes
2answers
567 views
What happens if I edit a duplicate Hosts file?
What exactly is a duplicate file?
When I wanted to edit the hosts file (/private/etc/hosts), it says:
You don't own the file "hosts" and don’t have permission to write to
it.
You can ...
