1
proftpd: pam_ecryptfs: Error getting passwd info for user [USERNAME]

I am getting this error in the syslog nearly every time any user connects via FTP, the user is able to connect and the session seems to continue without a hitch. ProFTPD.log shows no error, this warning only show in the syslog.

My VPS is running Ubuntu 11.10 and Proftpd 1.3.4rc2 from the Ubuntu Repo, I have made only a few changes to the config (no weird auth methods). This has been going on for quite a while but I can't quite find the cause.

Anyone got any ideas?

EDIT: been looking around but all I can find with this error is the source code for the program itself; it appears to be and error in ecryptfs-utils that only proftpd is triggering.

Olirav
  • 21
  • 5

2 Answers2

1

Only answer seems to be to ignore it and carry on. For anyone else with the same issue here is a rule to hide the error from the logs

Add to /etc/rsyslog.conf (Or equiv)

:msg, contains, "Error getting passwd info for user" ~

Just ensure it is above any other rules (that might catch it)

Olirav
  • 21
  • 5
1

You might check the contents of your /etc/pam.d/ftpd, /etc/pam.d/proftpd, or /etc/pam.conf (or similar) files. ProFTPD, by default, attempts to use PAM for authentication; the pam_ecryptfs part of the error message suggests it's a PAM module which is complaining. The PAM configuration files should list that pam_ecryptfs module.

Another solution is to tell ProFTPD not to try to use PAM, via the following, in your proftpd.conf:

<IfModule mod_auth_pam.c>
  AuthPAM off
</IfModule>
Castaglia
  • 3,349
  • 3
  • 21
  • 42