Lost SSH Root Access? Let me help you!
 

Lost SSH Root Access? Let me help you!


I spent a while figuring this problem out.
I access my N9 via SSH through Wifi using WinSCP on my PC. I like to modify my device(s) so I do it as root.
Recently there was an update to SSH on N9 which disables root access through SSH. Problem is, you need to be root to enable it. If youre like me and have come across this problem, let me help you. Then PR1.1 has disabled root access in another config file.



Pre PR1.1

1. open xterm
2. devel-su [enter] then your root password [enter]
3. nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

then use the arrowkeys on the virtualkeyboard to navigate the file to "Authentication" section and change 'permitRootLogin' to yes

once done, ctrl+o then enter saves the file
ctrl+x closes Nano

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Post PR1.1, to enable remote root login again (or rather make it controllable via
/etc/ssh/sshd_config like before):

and reboot.

Re: Root Password Problem
 

Did you try out the default password "rootme" (without quotes ofcourse)

Do you have the Terminal app on your N9?

if so:
try:
devel-su
rootme

Re: Root Password Problem
 

I reset the root password. I know what it is/was/should be, but it doesnt work! Had the password saved in WinSCP, it worked, rebooted phone and straight away tried logging in again, no longer works!

Re: Root Password Problem
 

Did you update SSH? The new one disables root logins. Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config and change "PermitRootLogin no" to "PermitRootLogin yes".

Re: Root Password Problem
 

Better also don't do that. Disabling root ssh access is a good feature. Just enable ssh access for the "user" user, and then escalate your privileges with devel-su.

In terminal:

Set your password for "user". Then for remote ssh access:
And that's it. Also probably worth while to change root's password as well.

Re: Root Password Problem
 

yes, I did update! only problem is editing that file..

---

I need root access to be able to modify files in root directory.

Re: Root Password Problem
 

To enable devel-su switch on developer mode in system Settings > Security. After that you'll be able to use devel-su in the terminal with root password.

Re: Root Password Problem
 

can someone please tell me how to make this change in xterm? I was going to do it with MC but I cannot install that as I need root privileges....! :mad::(:confused:

Re: Root Password Problem
 

Following shmerl's advice is the better way to go. It will give you root access. However, if you must login directly as root, use vi to edit the file, but you'll need to be root first.

Re: Root Password Problem
 

ive enabled developer mode, set my own user and root passwords, now the ssh update has disabled root, how the hell am I meant to enable it? I need to be root to enable it, but I cant because Im not root, and I cant become root as its disabled?! can you see my predicament? this is a poor developer device, OMG!

any help is appreciated.

edit: I can login as user via SSH still, no probs.