Linux Baidu Cloud Compute Entering Single User Mode to Reset Paasword Reports Error-Authentication token manipulation error
Updated at：2025-10-20
Problem description
The error message passwd:Authentication token manipulation error appears when a single user resets the password.
Cause analysis
- This is caused by abnormal permissions of password files (/etc/passwd and /etc/shadow).
- This issue occurs because the disk space is full.
Handling methods
- Execute
df -hto check disk space. If the space is full, clear the space. If the disk space is normal, execute the following command to view file attributes.
Shell
1$ lsattr /etc/passwd /etc/shadow 
- Execute the command
lsattrto check the space, the /etc/shadow directory has permissions a or i. These permissions shall be revoked by executing the following command.
Shell
1$ chattr -a /etc/shadow
2$ chattr -i /etc/shadow- Execute the following command to check file attributes and only the Permission e indicates normal status.
- Attempt the password reset again.
Shell
1$ passwdThe display of password updated successfully indicates successful password reset. Enter exit to exit single-user mode and return to normal mode.