Lab
Cloud

Configuring the Boot Process in SUSE Linux Enterprise

In this hands-on lab, we will be looking at applying a password to the GRUB2 bootloader in SUSE Linux Enterprise. This is part of the server hardening process and is a security best practice within enterprise computing environments.

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Path Info

Level

Beginner

Duration

30m

Last updated

Aug 31, 2025

Challenge

Create a Password for Use with GRUB2

Generate a GRUB2 password and copy the resulting hash:
```
sudo -i grub2-mkpasswd-pbkdf2
```
Enter the cloud_user password provided with the lab credentials.
Copy the resulting hash, which starts with grub.pbkdf2.sha512. (It will be really long).
Open the /etc/grub.d/40_custom file:
```
sudo -i vim /etc/grub.d/40_custom
```

The contents of the file should be:

#!/bin/sh
exec tail -n +3 $0
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.

set superusers="root"
password_pbkdf2 root <LONG_PASSWORD_HASH>

Challenge

Edit the GRUB2 Configuration to Use the Created Password
1. Generate the GRUB2 configuration file:
```
sudo -i grub2-mkconfig --output=/tmp/grub2.cfg
```
2. Copy the file:
```
sudo -i cp /tmp/grub2.cfg /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
```
3. List the contents of the file you copied to ensure it contains the password entry:
```
sudo -i cat /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
```
4. Reboot the system:
```
sudo -i reboot
```
  Because we do not have access to the boot process of the cloud server, a reboot would render the server inaccessible due to the prompt for the boot password. Reboot the server and you will no longer be able to log in.

Author

Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

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