sshd_config PasswordAuthentication problem

[bkonopincorp]

Hi

I would like to point out a problem.

RHEL9.3
User operator3 from serverb connects via server password despite good /etc/ssh/sshd_config settings on servera.

operator2@serverb~]$ ssh operator3@servera

Settings in /etc/ssh/sshd_config on servera

PasswordAuthentication no
service was reloaded
chapter 9 off 

Guided Exercise: Customize OpenSSH Service Configuration

can you verify this SVP?

[Chetan_Tiwary_ · Accepted solution]

@bkonopincorp The problem is due to the extra config file in /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/50-cloud-init.conf  which is overwriting the sshd_config parameter.

as workaroud - After setting the entries in the sshd_config file , also comment out the entry in the /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/50-cloud-init.conf file and then do the lab again - it will work as expected.

The error will be fixed soon ( probably in a new / maintenance release of the course ).

[Dgmeinsider]

It seems there might be an issue with the SSH configuration on servera. Double-check the syntax in /etc/ssh/sshd_config for any errors, and ensure there are no conflicting settings in other configuration files or directories like /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/. Verify that the SSH service has been properly reloaded or restarted with systemctl status sshd. Additionally, consider if cached credentials might be affecting the connection and review the SSH logs (/var/log/secure or /var/log/auth.log) for any related warnings or errors. These steps should help resolve why password authentication is still working despite the PasswordAuthentication no setting.