Linux PAM

Simple definition

PAM provides a modular layer of authentication under Linux.

Technical definition

PluggableTag Modules allows services to delegate authentication, account, session and password management.

What’s the point?.

centralize and compose d rules, authentication of many Linux services.

Concrete example

sshd uses PAM to implement certain authentication policies.

Common problems

• incorrect PAM module
• order of rules
• Involuntary locking

To be noted: Always adapt the diagnosis to the version of the product and to the architecture actually deployed.

See also:. SELinux.