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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Why disable ssh login with root on a server if I only log in with keys, not password? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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On a server I have a public key auth only for root account. Is there any point of logging in with a different account?

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 days ago (6 children)

That server's root access is now vulnerable to a compromise of the systems that have the private key.

[–] BCsven -2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Only the server should have the private key. Why would other systems have the private key?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 days ago (2 children)

The client has the private key, the server has the corresponding public key in its authorized keys file.

The server is vulnerable to the private key getting stolen from the client.

[–] BCsven 1 points 2 days ago

For ssh they both have private and public keys. The server could be at risk of having it's own private key compromised if somebody breaks in, and vice versa a compromised client can lose its private key. The original wording made it sound like a compromised server would steal client keys.

Also passworded keys are recommended

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

it is also vulnerable to whatever ssh exploits that can bypass the key

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Finding an exploit in ssh is worth more than whatever your server has to offer though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

thats a good point. unless you forget to update it in a timely manner.

that includes most servers out there ime, so

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