(Answered):Individual Extracting Passwords . . . .

Question Description

Linux systems keep user account information in the passwd file and the encrypted password in the shadow file.

The passwd file containing account information might look like this:

smithj:x:1001:1001:John Smith:/home/smithj:/bin/bash

The shadow file containing password and account expiration information for users might look like this:

smithj:KJDKKkkLLjjwlnttqoiybnm.:10063:0:99999:7:::

The fields in the shadow file are separated by a colon, with the first field being the username and the second being the password.

Under normal circumstances, the password is encrypted. But for the purpose of this assignment, you can assume the password is already unencrypted.

Review the bruteLogin function program on pp. 58–59 of Ch. 2, “Penetration Testing