Public bug reported:
Root Privileges seem to have disappeared after update - Feisty Fawn
Today March 14, 2007, the update manager in Feisty Fawn notified that
updates were available. So I fired up the update manager, it notified me
of 200 + updates (Only a few the day before, but not the first time I
have seen so many while running a development version...).
The download and install went smooth except one package. -- (I did not
write the package down, as it is not the first time one package has
failed; they have always installed just fine after rebooting to reset
the rest of the updates. So I did not think to write the name of the
failed package down.)
Upon reboot of the system, I fired up the terminal and sudo'd an apt-get
update. No prompt to enter password, no checking of installed packages
scrolling past, just my user prompt. I then attempted to sudo -s -H,
this time I was prompted for a password. I entered it obligingly, only
it left me sitting at my user prompt, not root. I did another sudo -s
-H, this time no asking for password, just another user prompt, still no
root.
Slightly confused as to why this would occur, I entered the GUI update
manager; it listed no updates, so I clicked the check button to see
about updates, from past experience, I figured I should have at least
been notified of the failed package. The password prompt dialog opened.
I entered my password and received the following error window
/*
Failed to run /usr/sbin/synaptic '-hide-main-window' '--non-interactive'
'--parent-window-id' '20971523' '--update-at-startup' as user root.
This underlying authorization mechanism [sudo] does not allow you to run this
program. Contact the system administrator.
*/
Well, now I was completely stumped. I rebooted again, tried the above;
but still no luck. I tried a Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to reset the window
manager; still no luck. I changed session to Fail-Safe Terminal, Still
no luck.
It appears as though all administration privileges have vanished from
existence. Obviously without these privileges, it can be next to
impossible to do anything. I can not even re-add myself as root without
being root.
Basically, I am in between a rock and a hard place. Any suggestions
would greatly be appreciated.
Here is a list of my set up both Software and Hardware so as to better
grasp anything that may have gone wrong.
SOFTWARE:
Ubuntu Feisty Fawn Testing – current build as of Today March 14, 2007, minus
the one failed package.
Standard included release packages. + Beryl 3D desktop environment. +
VirtualBox virtual machine running a non-networked Windows XP (I just
need to use the MS Word program to double check my homework as my school
requires Word formatting. All transfers of word documents transferred
using USB.)
Latest development driver for NVIDIA that I got directly from their
website.
ALL /etc/apt/sources.list Repositories have been set to receive updates.
Except for the official Ubuntu/Beryl repository no other repositories
other than default have been defined.
Other than that, I run no other packages and very seldom go online. When
I do, it is mainly to read the latest posts here on the Ubuntu Forums.
(All web traffic is through this box, my Edgy Eft 6.10 install)
HARDWARE:
(So far none of this has been an issue)
Microstar International Mainboard PX8 Neo-V
512MB Memory
Pentium IV Hyperthreaded 2.8Ghz cpu
60-Gbyte Western Digital HD
(old) NVIDIA MX 440 256MB Graphics card
Onboard Ethernet
No Sound
No nothing else
Again: any input would be greatly appreciated on resolving this problem.
I opted to run Feisty on the one machine, figuring that any bugs
encountered could be reported to help the developers know of any issues.
I have received only one so far from Feisty and it was minor (Firefox
hung once).
Now that I actually have a bug to report, I can not even report it from
the originating machine and I wish I could in order to help you better,
Anyways, I hope my description helps.
Thank You!
** Affects: Ubuntu
Importance: Undecided
Status: Unconfirmed
--
Feisty Fawn update loses access to root admin privelages
https://launchpad.net/bugs/92428
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