Root users and mysql: `sudo mysql` vs `/root/.my.cnf`

Question

I have a /root/.my.cnf file which stores the mysql root user's password:

[client]
password = "my password"

When I log in as system root and enter mysql, I get a passwordless login:

myuser@local:$ sudo su
root@local:$ mysql
mysql>

But when I try to do the same just using sudo, I get access denied:

myuser@local:$ sudo mysql
ERROR 1045 (28000): Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' (using password: NO)

How can I get sudo mysql to log me in as the mysql root user, without entering a password?

score 10 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 12 '11 at 23:11

10

sudo -i mysql should also work - That should run mysql under a fresh interactive shell.

answered Mar 12 '11 at 23:11

Paul Doom

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score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 29 '15 at 23:29

2

If you are locked down and the only command you can enter as sudo is mysqldump (non-interactive) you might be looking to add the .my.cnf option by the --defaults-file param.

answered Dec 29 '15 at 23:29

Drew Foehn

21
1

This won't work unless you have read permissions on the root my.cnf file. It you don't, it fails with "Could not open required defaults file: /root/.my.cnf Fatal error in defaults handling. Program aborted". – Dario Seidl Apr 18 '22 at 16:26

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 12 '11 at 21:20

1

The command sudo su -c "mysql" will have the desired effect.

answered Mar 12 '11 at 21:20

Kenny Rasschaert

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3
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Root users and mysql: `sudo mysql` vs `/root/.my.cnf`

3 Answers3