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{{Short description|Software library to manage authentication on Linux systems}}
{{more footnotes|date=September 2010}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
| name = Linux PAM
| name = Linux PAM
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| released = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} -->
| released = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} -->
| discontinued =
| discontinued =
| latest release version = 1.3.1
| latest release version = 1.5.3
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2018|5|18}}
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2023|05|08}}
| latest preview version =
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} -->
| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} -->
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| genre = authentication
| genre = authentication
| repo = https://github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam
| repo = https://github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam
| license = [[GNU General Public License]] or [[Revised BSD License]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License]] or [[Modified BSD License]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.linux-pam.org/}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.linux-pam.org/}}
}}
}}
'''Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules''' (PAM) provide dynamic authentication support for applications and services in a [[Linux]] or [[GNU/kFreeBSD]]<ref>https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=220980</ref> system. Linux PAM is evolved from the [[Unix]] [[Pluggable Authentication Modules]] architecture.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5940|title=Securing Applications on Linux with PAM {{!}} Linux Journal|last=Fernandes|first=Savio|last2=Reddy|first2=KLM|date=|website=[[Linux Journal]]|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-09-30}}</ref>
'''Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules''' (PAM) is a suite of libraries that allow a Linux [[system administrator]] to configure methods to [[Authentication|authenticate]] users. It provides a flexible and centralized way to switch authentication methods for secured applications by using configuration files instead of changing application code.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chapter 1. Introduction|url=http://www.linux-pam.org/Linux-PAM-html/sag-introduction.html|access-date=2023-11-11|website=An Internet Archive page of Linux PAM site|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506140423/http://www.linux-pam.org/Linux-PAM-html/sag-introduction.html |archive-date=2021-05-06 }}</ref> There are Linux PAM libraries allowing authentication using methods such as local passwords, [[Lightweight Directory Access Protocol|LDAP]], or fingerprint readers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lauber|first=Susan|date=2020-07-22|title=An introduction to Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) in Linux|url=https://www.redhat.com/sysadmin/pluggable-authentication-modules-pam|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Red Hat|language=en}}</ref> Linux PAM is evolved from the [[Unix]] [[Pluggable Authentication Modules]] architecture.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5940|title=Securing Applications on Linux with PAM {{!}} Linux Journal|last1=Fernandes|first1=Savio|last2=Reddy|first2=KLM|website=[[Linux Journal]]|language=en|access-date=2018-09-30}}</ref>


Linux-PAM separates the tasks of authentication into four independent management groups:
Linux-PAM separates the tasks of authentication into four independent management groups:<ref>{{Cite web|title=pam.d(8): Pluggable Authentication Modules for - Linux man page|url=https://linux.die.net/man/8/pam.d|access-date=2021-02-28|website=linux.die.net}}</ref>
* account modules check that the specified account is a valid authentication target under current conditions. This may include conditions like account expiration, time of day, and that the user has access to the requested service.
* account modules check that the specified account is a valid authentication target under current conditions. This may include conditions like account expiration, time of day, and that the user has access to the requested service.
* authentication modules verify the user's identity, for example by requesting and checking a password or other secret. They may also pass authentication information on to other systems like a [[Keyring (cryptography)|keyring]].
* authentication modules verify the user's identity, for example by requesting and checking a password or other secret. They may also pass authentication information on to other systems like a [[Keyring (cryptography)|keyring]].
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==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Linux|Free software}}
{{Portal|Linux|Free and open-source software}}
*[[Pluggable Authentication Modules]]
* [[OpenPAM]]
*[[OpenPAM]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.linux-pam.org/ Linux-PAM page]
* [http://www.linux-pam.org/ Primary distribution site for the Linux-PAM project]
* [http://linux.die.net/man/8/pam.d pam.d(8) - Linux man page]
*[https://github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam Development site for the Linux-PAM project]
* [https://github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam Development site for the Linux-PAM project]
* [http://aplawrence.com/Basics/understandingpam.html ''Understanding PAM'', by A.P. Lawrence]
* [http://aplawrence.com/Basics/understandingpam.html ''Understanding PAM'', by A.P. Lawrence]
* [https://likegeeks.com/linux-pam-easy-guide/ ''Linux PAM modules'', by Mokhtar Ebrahim]
* [https://likegeeks.com/linux-pam-easy-guide/ ''Linux PAM modules'', by Mokhtar Ebrahim]

Latest revision as of 03:33, 13 February 2024

Linux PAM
Stable release
1.5.3 / May 8, 2023; 18 months ago (2023-05-08)
Repositoryhttps://github.com/linux-pam/linux-pam
Written inC
Operating systemLinux
Typeauthentication
LicenseGNU General Public License or Modified BSD License
Websitewww.linux-pam.org

Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) is a suite of libraries that allow a Linux system administrator to configure methods to authenticate users. It provides a flexible and centralized way to switch authentication methods for secured applications by using configuration files instead of changing application code.[1] There are Linux PAM libraries allowing authentication using methods such as local passwords, LDAP, or fingerprint readers.[2] Linux PAM is evolved from the Unix Pluggable Authentication Modules architecture.[3]

Linux-PAM separates the tasks of authentication into four independent management groups:[4]

  • account modules check that the specified account is a valid authentication target under current conditions. This may include conditions like account expiration, time of day, and that the user has access to the requested service.
  • authentication modules verify the user's identity, for example by requesting and checking a password or other secret. They may also pass authentication information on to other systems like a keyring.
  • password modules are responsible for updating passwords, and are generally coupled to modules employed in the authentication step. They may also be used to enforce strong passwords.
  • session modules define actions that are performed at the beginning and end of sessions. A session starts after the user has successfully authenticated.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chapter 1. Introduction". An Internet Archive page of Linux PAM site. Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  2. ^ Lauber, Susan (2020-07-22). "An introduction to Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) in Linux". Red Hat. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  3. ^ Fernandes, Savio; Reddy, KLM. "Securing Applications on Linux with PAM | Linux Journal". Linux Journal. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  4. ^ "pam.d(8): Pluggable Authentication Modules for - Linux man page". linux.die.net. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
[edit]


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