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Linux PAM

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Stable release
1.3.0 / April 28, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-04-28)
Repository
Written inC
Operating systemLinux
Typeauthentication
LicenseGNU General Public License or Revised BSD License
Websitewww.linux-pam.org

Linux Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) provide dynamic authentication support for applications and services in a Linux or GNU/kFreeBSD[1] system. Linux PAM is evolved from the Unix Pluggable Authentication Modules architecture.

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

  • 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

References