Changing linux password remotely using plink

[Iraj]

I need to change user's passwords remotely for Linux devices. I was recommended using plink for achieving the same, but I am facing little issue while resetting the passwords.

Sharing the command using which I change password via cmd (working): 

echo 'y' | plink.exe admin@X.X.X.X -pw Old-password -no-antispoof "echo -e 'Old-password\nNew-password\nNew-password'|(passwd)" > passwdChange.log

When I integrated it with AutoIT, I embedded the above command in a batch file as below.

@echo off
echo 'y' | plink.exe %1@%2 -pw %3 -no-antispoof "echo -e '%3\n%4\n%4'|(passwd)" > passwdChange.log

When I try to execute the above batch file via AutoIT Run/ShellExecute command it doesn't work properly (doesn't change password).

$DOS = Run(@ComSpec & " /c "&@ScriptDir &"\chpasswd.bat "&$sUser&" "&$sIP&" "&$sOldPwd&" "&$pwd, "", @SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED, $STDERR_CHILD + $STDOUT_CHILD)

Where I am going & what changes I need to make in order for this to work

Thank you in advance.

Edited July 24, 2023 by Iraj

[Jos]

First thing I always do when a Run @Comspec doesn't work is change the /c to /k so the cmd window stays open and I can see any errors.

 

[Iraj]

50 minutes ago, Jos said:

First thing I always do when a Run @Comspec doesn't work is change the /c to /k so the cmd window stays open and I can see any errors.

 

when i run from cmd, it will proceed to change the password, but when i compile & run with autoit, it doesn't. Is the line ($DOS = Run(@ComSpec & " ....) correct?

[Werty]

Try adding #RequireAdmin at the top of your script.

[Jos]

1 hour ago, Iraj said:

when i run from cmd, it will proceed to change the password, but when i compile & run with autoit, it doesn't. Is the line ($DOS = Run(@ComSpec & " ....) correct?

It is fully clear to me what you are doing, so did you try what I suggested as that is not clear from your answer?

If so, what was shown in the CMD window that remained open?

Edited July 24, 2023 by Jos

[Iraj]

49 minutes ago, Werty said:

Try adding #RequireAdmin at the top of your script.

I am running the script with built-in administrator.

[Iraj]

40 minutes ago, Jos said:

It is fully clear to me what you are doing, so did you try what I suggested as that is not clear from your answer?

If so, what was shown in the CMD window that remained open?

yes, I ran, it showed me a blank prompt.

[Jos]

When you run manually, do you include the full path as well? 

Maybe that needs to be quoted when the full path contains spaces?

While testing please get rid of the last parameter ($STDERR_CHILD + $STDOUT_CHILD) to ensure output is shown in the actual console and keep using the /k.

[rudi]

taken from some other script to solve a similar task:

#include <AutoItConstants.au3>

$PlinkDir='"C:\Program Files\PuTTY"'
$PlinkExe='"C:\Program Files\PuTTY\plink.exe"'

$CmdLine=$PlinkExe & " root@your.host.fqdn"
ConsoleWrite('@@ Debug(' & @ScriptLineNumber & ') : $CmdLine = ' & $CmdLine & @CRLF & '>Error code: ' & @error & @CRLF) ;### Debug Console

$pid=Run($Cmdline,@TempDir,@SW_SHOW,$STDERR_MERGED + $STDIN_CHILD)
ConsoleWrite('@@ Debug(' & @ScriptLineNumber & ') : $pid = ' & $pid & @CRLF & '>Error code: ' & @error & @CRLF) ;### Debug Console
Sleep(4000)

$StrRead=""
while ProcessExists ($pid)
    $NxRead=StdoutRead($pid)
    if $NxRead <> "" Then
        $StrRead &=$NxRead
        ConsoleWrite($NxRead)
    EndIf
    ; analyze the STRING for interactive password change, if the right time has come, send your input. Finally EXIT, terminate your strings with @CRLF
    $Wait4String="password:"
    if StringRight($StrRead,StringLen($Wait4String)) = $Wait4String Then
    StdinWrite($pid,$Str2Send & @CRLF)
    ConsoleWrite("Written: """ & $Str2Send & """"  & @CRLF)
    EndIf
    Sleep(100)
WEnd

$NxRead=StdoutRead($pid)
$StrRead&=$NxRead
StdioClose($pid)

ConsoleWrite("------------------------" & @CRLF)
ConsoleWrite($StrRead & @CRLF)
ConsoleWrite("------------------------" & @CRLF)

 

[Iraj]

18 hours ago, rudi said:

taken from some other script to solve a similar task:

#include <AutoItConstants.au3>

$PlinkDir='"C:\Program Files\PuTTY"'
$PlinkExe='"C:\Program Files\PuTTY\plink.exe"'

$CmdLine=$PlinkExe & " root@your.host.fqdn"
ConsoleWrite('@@ Debug(' & @ScriptLineNumber & ') : $CmdLine = ' & $CmdLine & @CRLF & '>Error code: ' & @error & @CRLF) ;### Debug Console

$pid=Run($Cmdline,@TempDir,@SW_SHOW,$STDERR_MERGED + $STDIN_CHILD)
ConsoleWrite('@@ Debug(' & @ScriptLineNumber & ') : $pid = ' & $pid & @CRLF & '>Error code: ' & @error & @CRLF) ;### Debug Console
Sleep(4000)

$StrRead=""
while ProcessExists ($pid)
    $NxRead=StdoutRead($pid)
    if $NxRead <> "" Then
        $StrRead &=$NxRead
        ConsoleWrite($NxRead)
    EndIf
    ; analyze the STRING for interactive password change, if the right time has come, send your input. Finally EXIT, terminate your strings with @CRLF
    $Wait4String="password:"
    if StringRight($StrRead,StringLen($Wait4String)) = $Wait4String Then
    StdinWrite($pid,$Str2Send & @CRLF)
    ConsoleWrite("Written: """ & $Str2Send & """"  & @CRLF)
    EndIf
    Sleep(100)
WEnd

$NxRead=StdoutRead($pid)
$StrRead&=$NxRead
StdioClose($pid)

ConsoleWrite("------------------------" & @CRLF)
ConsoleWrite($StrRead & @CRLF)
ConsoleWrite("------------------------" & @CRLF)

 

Sorry, I may be wrong, but can you explain how to run this? I ran it & it doesn't take the password I have provided on the right output screen. 

 

[rudi]

Hi,

haven't been available for a while: Did you set the content of the variable $Str2Send to hold your password?

$Str2Send="YourTopSecretPwd" & @crlf