Use PHP script to modify Linux or Unix system passwords

This article describes how to use a PHP script to modify a Linux or Unix system password

Required Tools and Installation:

You must install the following tools and software:

– The shell script that modifies the password

–sudo access Rights

–apache or LIGHTTPD Web server

–php Service-side program

Step #: Install shell scripts that can modify user passwords

This script can actually be used to modify the password of the Linux user (already tested in Linux and FreeBSD).

Example: Shell scripting code

#!/bin/sh
# \
exec expect -f “$0″ ${1+”$@”}
set password [lindex $argv 1]
spawn passwd [lindex $argv 0]
sleep 1
expect “assword:”
send “$password\r”
expect “assword:”
send “$password\r”
expect eof

Run shell script (download link)

$ chpasswd Username Password

Download the script and copy it to your Web root or to another location on your Web server (user readable):

$ CP chpasswd/var/www/

Or, if you use the LIGHTTPD Web server:

$ CP CHPASSWD/HOME/LIGHTTPD

Step: Execute command as root through sudo

The Apache or LIGHTTPD Web server will immediately use non-root permissions when it enters the background. This is a good way to prevent password changes, just as the passwd command requires root permission to modify the password of other user accounts.

Typically, Apache 2 uses www-data users, lighttpd use LIGHTTPD users (both regular users, not root users). Log in using the root user, and then execute the following command:

# Visudo

Your Web server now allows you to execute a password modification script (CHPASSWD). If you use the Apache Web server, execute the following command:

Www-data all=nopasswd:/var/www/chpasswd

Alternatively, if you use the LIGHTTPD Web server, execute the following command:

httpd all=nopasswd:/home/lighttpd/chpasswd

Save and exit files.