pretend script

download it here. Note: if you're not on a system with dcslib mounted (if you don't know what it is, you probably don't have it), then you'll probably want to change all occurrences of /dcs/bin/bash to the path to where your bash lives - or you could use another shell if you like.

Why you might want to use pretend:

meter-root) su - ferrante
You do not have permission to log on to this machine.

Meter is now closed for general logins.  The new replacement
server for this purpose is called "gram.eng.uci.edu".
Please use that server instead.  If you have any question
or comment on this, contact DCS at dcs@uci.edu.
meter-root) pretend ferrante
ferrante:x:19386:1012:Antonino Ferrante:/mae/ferrante/ferrante:/soe/lib/meter-locked-shell
uid=19386(ferrante) gid=1012(mengelgh)
groups=1012(mengelgh),2000(tecplot),27(grad)
checking for dcslib...
adding dcslib to path...
meter-ferrante)

seki-strombrg> root -X
Passing xauth info
Password: 
executing ~/.bashrc
Thu Jan 27 11:52:14

seki-root> pretend apache
apache:!!:48:48:Apache:/var/www:/sbin/nologin
uid=48(apache) gid=48(apache) groups=48(apache)
context=root:system_r:unconfined_t
executing ~/.bashrc
Thu Jan 27 11:52:16

seki-apache> exit
Thu Jan 27 11:52:20

seki-root> su - apache
This account is currently not available.
Thu Jan 27 11:52:22

seki-root>

IE, it more or less lets you su to an account that you normally cannot su to, due to some form of access restriction - but you need to be root already.

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Timestamp: 2024-12-27 08:07:59 PST

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