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Linux Hack of the Week #13: Reset Lost MySQL/MariaDB Password

If you read the recent hack of the week on resetting a lost root password for Linux, then you might also be interested in how to reset the password for a MySQL/MariaDB instance. You might need to do this because your DBA left the company, you need to hack the DB, or you simply typo’d the password (let's forget I said hack the DB).

Step 1 : Stop the DB

First, you need to stop the database using systemctl stop mariadb:

Step 2: Start the DB with Recover Options

Next, you will restart the database without networking (since there is no password required) and with skipping grant tables using sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables --skip-networking &

Step 3: Connect and Reset

Connect to the database without a password using:  mysql -uroot -p. Then, issue the FLUSH PRIVILEGES; command:

Use the mysql schema by issuing: use mysql;. Then, run the command UPDATE user set Password=PASSWORD(‘yourNewPass’) where User=’root’;

End the commands with FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Step 4: Shutdown and Restart

To restart the database, you will have to stop it with sudo mysqladmin shutdown. Then, restart it with systemctl start mariadb :

Try your new password out!

Conclusion

Hopefully this has helps you to regain access to your MySQL/MariaDB databases, should you need it. As always, feel free to email us if you have any questions support@automox.com.

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