Creating a user on linux using useradd

[BenRussell]

I want to create a user using a Perl script using the 'useradd' command (on Red Hat Linux).

However, I also want to set the password when I issue the command, such as:

useradd SOMEUSER -p SOMEPASSWORD

The problem is that SOMEPASSWORD has to be encrypted when it is passed to useradd and I do not know which algorithm to use. What Perl module can give me access to this algorithm?

- Ben

 

[raklet]

I searched google with the terms "perl::crypt" One suggestion was to use an expect script:

#!/usr/local/bin/expect -f
set username $env(UNAME)
set password $env(UPASS)

spawn passwd $username
expect "New password:"
send "$password\r"
expect "Re-enter new password:"
send "$password\r"
send "exit\r"
expect eof


It also appears there is an RPM package called "perl-crypt-des" that simulates the crypt function used to generate passwords.

 

[BenRussell]

I can't use the expect script though because it has to be built into my Perl script.

- Ben

 

[raklet]

I really don't know the answer, just some suggestions from searching google.

Good luck.

 

[icrf]

You could try Linux::Usermod:

http://search.cpan.org/author/VIDUL/Linux-usermod-0.3/usermod.pm

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...but I'm just a C man trying to see the light

 

[BenRussell]

I figured out that if you use the built-in crypt() function it encrypts the password correctly.

For instance:

my $linuxPassword = crypt('MYPASSWORD', 'SALT');

And I am using a random 2 character salt (according to Perl documentation).

Then I just did a system command telling it to create the user:

my $command = `useradd MYUSER -p $linuxPassword`;

- Ben

 

[raklet]

Great. Thanks for sharing the answer!