Recovering the Root Password on Linux

This article provides step-by-step instructions for recovering the root password using three different methods: via GRUB, rescue mode, or single-user mode.

Method 1: Using GRUB

1. Edit GRUB at Boot:

• Restart the system and press e at the GRUB menu to edit the boot entry.

• Locate the line starting with linux
• Add the following parameters at the end of the line:

3. Boot into the Modified Configuration:

• Press Ctrl+X or F10 to boot with the updated configuration.

• Remount the system root directory in read/write mode:

mount -o remount,rw /sysroot 
chroot /sysroot

5. Change the Root Password:

• Reset the root password using:

passwd root

6. Relabel SELinux:

• Trigger an SELinux relabeling process to ensure proper access controls:

touch /.autorelabel

7. Reboot the System:

• Exit the chroot environment and reboot:

exit 
exit

Method 2: Rescue Mode

1. Enter Rescue Mode:

• At the GRUB menu, select the rescue mode option.
• Alternatively, add the following parameter to the kernel line:

2. Login as Root:

• Once in rescue mode, log in as root.

• Update the root password:

passwd root

After successfully resetting the root password, make sure to:

• Reboot the system to apply changes.
• If SELinux was disabled temporarily, ensure it is properly enabled after relabeling.