Motd

Linux and Unix-Like Linux
1

In which login startup script is the motd displayed?

Red Hat 4AS

As I understand it, upon login (bash) it hits

/etc/profile
~/.bash_profile
~/.bash_login
~/.profile

I went through the scripts and the associated scripts (/etc/profile.d/*.sh) but don't see where it's being displayed from.

I also checked /etc/ssh/sshd_config and PrintMotd is yes.

The problem is logging in as a user displays the motd correctly however logging in as root does not. Logging in as root to a different server (similar setup) does show root the motd.

And I know about not logging in a root. I haven't done it and wouldn't have known about the problem had it not been brought up by auditors. Since it's a customer server, we're not allowed to "fix" it.

Thanks.

Carl

2

the contents of /etc/motd are displayed by the login binary:

[root@UW-GOODRICHWE ~]# strings -f /bin/login | grep motd
/bin/login: /etc/motd
3

So what would prevent a root login from displaying the motd if my login works vs the motd working on both roots and my account on a similarly configured server?

I would expect perhaps a flag file (like .dircolors) but nothing jumps out in root's home dir or in the other three as not existing.

Carl

4

Check for a file called .hushlogin in root's home directory.

5

Shoot, good call. I'll check it tomorrow. Thanks.

Carl

6

That was it. Thanks. I've used .dircolors to disable aliases and colored output and recall reading about .hushlogin but haven't used it before.

Carl