Root Access

This document provides methods for obtaining temporary root access on a remote system.

1. Install GNU Screen (Recommended)

GNU Screen is highly recommended for managing remote sessions, and required for the “Open a screen session with a running su” method. Install it using:

sudo apt install screen

2. Temporary Root Access Options

Option 1: Password (Unsafe)

Temporarily change the root password using:

passwd

Warning: This method is generally unsafe for remote access.

Option 2: sudo with NOPASSWD

This method grants temporary sudo privileges without requiring a password.

Create a file named /etc/sudoers.d/90-temp-user and add the following content, replacing andrew with the actual username:

# User rules for andrew
andrew ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL

Alternatively, you can create this file directly using the command:

cat << EOF | sudo tee /etc/sudoers.d/90-temp-user
# User rules for $(id -un)
$(id -un) ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL
EOF

Option 3: Open a Screen Session with su

This method involves starting a screen session and elevating privileges within it, allowing for later resumption of the privileged session.

1. Start a screen session:

   screen
   

2. Elevate privileges within the screen session:

   sudo su
   

3. (Optional) Detach from the session by pressing Ctrl+a d.

After connecting to the client machine, this screen session can be resumed to regain root access.