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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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Lab Info
Level
Beginner
Last updated
Sep 12, 2025
Duration
30m

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Table of Contents
  1. Challenge

    Create a Password for Use with GRUB2
    1. Generate a GRUB2 password and copy the resulting hash:

      sudo -i grub2-mkpasswd-pbkdf2
      

      Enter the cloud_user password provided with the lab credentials.

    2. Copy the resulting hash, which starts with grub.pbkdf2.sha512. (It will be really long).

    3. Open the /etc/grub.d/40_custom file:

      sudo -i vim /etc/grub.d/40_custom
      
    4. 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>
      
  2. 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.

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