CentOS

We have this error message saying
Permission Denied
when attempt to change its own password as root user

the /etc/passwd is there and intact
there is another file /etc/passwd- in the same folder

Not sure what is the implications

We have tried reboot the server , however the error still persists

Despite its name, /etc/passwd is not used for storing passwords. For that you want /etc/shadow which should look like:

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[root@centos7 ~]# ls -laZ /etc/shadow
----------. root root system_u:object_r:shadow_t:s0    /etc/shadow

I have seen similar behavior in this forum.
Run

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vipw

and immediately try to save .
If it fails - find the offending line and fix it.

Also, check the SELINUX context of :

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ls -lZ  /etc/{passwd*,shadow*}

If they deviate from standards -> run a

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restorecon

to fix the files.

CentOS

Permission Denied when change password even as root

Permission Denied when change password even as root

Re: Permission Denied when change password even as root

Re: Permission Denied when change password even as root