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passwd: Authentication token manipulation error

This document (7022832) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11

Situation

Root can change all users' passwords but no user is unable to change their own password. 
Each user receives this error when attempting to change their own password:
passwd: Authentication token manipulation error

Resolution

A display of /etc/pam.d/common-password indicated that "Restricting Use of Previous Passwords" had been previously setup but the file  /etc/security/opasswd was mistakenly deleted.

Either restore the /etc/security/opasswd from backup to retain the history 
or create a new one as follows:
touch /etc/security/opasswd
chown root:root /etc/security/opasswd
chmod 600 /etc/security/opasswd

Cause

/etc/security/opasswd was missing

Additional Information


Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  • Document ID:7022832
  • Creation Date: 10-Apr-2018
  • Modified Date:14-Oct-2022
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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