A hacker has managed to gain access to a Linux host and stolen the password file from /etc/passwd. How can
he use it?
A.
The password file does not contain the passwords themselves.
B.
He can open it and read the user ids and corresponding passwords.
C.
The file reveals the passwords to the root user only.
D.
He cannot read it because it is encrypted.
D.
the original answer is correct, key word linux
Answer: A
Thine penance is accepted. Now, go thee hence, say 137 ‘hail marys’s’ and all shalt be good with thine world!
In the meantime; The ‘etc\passwd’ file contains an * (asterisk) if the password is invalid or an ! (exclamation point) indicating that the password is in the ‘/etc/security/passwd’ (or ‘etc/shadow’) file (or some-some-such) and is encrypted.
D: Why you no work?! Because the passwd file is world-readable (needs to be; -rw-r–r–) and as such is not encrypted. [Gahhh! Damn ‘You’ en ‘Cryption’…! (Psst! Es ist ein Wort!) Drat…Foiled!]
correct answer is A
remember etc/password and etc/shadow
http://www.tldp.org/LDP/lame/LAME/linux-admin-made-easy/shadow-file-formats.html