How I fixed a really broken CentOS Machine after an dist upgrade

So… you do basic dist upgrade.. you don’t really make an effort to take a cloud-server image (because your me, and are an idiot! and dont even follow the advice you give your own customers, yourself!)…

Now I’ve got that bit over.. I basically found that udev wasn’t installed. This might not seem like completely the end of the world, however, the fact that /dev/random /dev/urandom were missing, and /dev/null was a regular file.. we had big issues man.. I didn’t think I’d be able to get SSH to behave again, but actually it seems this is isolated to udev in most latest centos revisions.

I’m not going to give my kernel version, but you get the idea ;-D

[root@RESCUE-pirax-test ~]# ls -al
total 40
dr-xr-x---.  5 root root 4096 Dec  7 09:34 .
dr-xr-xr-x. 18 root root 4096 Dec  7 09:34 ..
-rw-r--r--.  1 root root   18 Dec 29  2013 .bash_logout
-rw-r--r--.  1 root root  176 Dec 29  2013 .bash_profile
-rw-r--r--.  1 root root  176 Dec 29  2013 .bashrc
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root 4096 Dec  7 09:34 .cache
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root 4096 Dec  7 09:34 .config
-rw-r--r--.  1 root root  100 Dec 29  2013 .cshrc
drwx------.  2 root root 4096 Dec  7 09:34 .ssh
-rw-r--r--.  1 root root  129 Dec 29  2013 .tcshrc
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test ~]# cd /mnt
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test mnt]# ls -al
total 112
dr-xr-xr-x. 23 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:32 .
dr-xr-xr-x. 18 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:34 ..
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root     7 Feb 23  2016 bin -> usr/bin
dr-xr-xr-x.  4 root root  4096 Dec  6 11:53 boot
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Apr 21  2016 customer
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:47 dev
drwxr-xr-x.  8 root root  4096 Jun 10 10:02 documents
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root  4096 Mar  1  2016 dump
drwxr-xr-x. 91 root root 12288 Dec  7 09:45 etc
drwxr-xr-x.  5 root root  4096 Nov 11 11:58 home
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root  4096 Nov  9  2015 include
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root     7 Feb 23  2016 lib -> usr/lib
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root     9 Feb 23  2016 lib64 -> usr/lib64
drwx------.  2 root root 16384 Sep  3  2015 lost+found
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Aug 12  2015 media
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root  4096 Jun 23 14:23 mnt
drwxr-xr-x.  4 root root  4096 Aug 12  2015 opt
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Sep  3  2015 proc
drwxr-xr-x. 26 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:36 root
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:43 run
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root     8 Feb 23  2016 sbin -> usr/sbin
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Aug 12  2015 srv
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Sep  3  2015 sys
drwxrwxrwt.  7 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:46 tmp
drwxr-xr-x. 13 root root  4096 Feb 23  2016 usr
drwxr-xr-x. 22 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:31 var
drwxr-xr-x.  9 root root  4096 Oct 12  2015 wpscan
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test mnt]# cd ..
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# chroot /mnt
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# ls -al
total 112
dr-xr-xr-x. 23 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:32 .
dr-xr-xr-x. 23 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:32 ..
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root     7 Feb 23  2016 bin -> usr/bin
dr-xr-xr-x.  4 root root  4096 Dec  6 11:53 boot
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Apr 21  2016 customer
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:47 dev
drwxr-xr-x.  8 root root  4096 Jun 10 10:02 documents
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root  4096 Mar  1  2016 dump
drwxr-xr-x. 91 root root 12288 Dec  7 09:45 etc
drwxr-xr-x.  5 root root  4096 Nov 11 11:58 home
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root  4096 Nov  9  2015 include
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root     7 Feb 23  2016 lib -> usr/lib
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root     9 Feb 23  2016 lib64 -> usr/lib64
drwx------.  2 root root 16384 Sep  3  2015 lost+found
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Aug 12  2015 media
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root  4096 Jun 23 14:23 mnt
drwxr-xr-x.  4 root root  4096 Aug 12  2015 opt
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Sep  3  2015 proc
drwxr-xr-x. 26 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:36 root
drwxr-xr-x.  3 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:43 run
lrwxrwxrwx.  1 root root     8 Feb 23  2016 sbin -> usr/sbin
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Aug 12  2015 srv
drwxr-xr-x.  2 root root  4096 Sep  3  2015 sys
drwxrwxrwt.  7 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:46 tmp
drwxr-xr-x. 13 root root  4096 Feb 23  2016 usr
drwxr-xr-x. 22 root root  4096 Dec  7 09:31 var
drwxr-xr-x.  9 root root  4096 Oct 12  2015 wpscan
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# su adam
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test /]$ ssh root@localhost
cannot read from /dev/urandom, No such file or directory
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test /]$ yum update mkinitrd
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, langpacks
You need to be root to perform this command.
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test /]$ exit
exit
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# yum update mkinitrd
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, langpacks
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
 * base: mirrors.vooservers.com
 * epel: epel.check-update.co.uk
 * extras: mirrors.vooservers.com
 * updates: mirrors.vooservers.com
No Match for argument: mkinitrd
No package mkinitrd available.
No packages marked for update
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# yum provides initrd
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, langpacks
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
 * base: mirrors.vooservers.com
 * epel: epel.check-update.co.uk
 * extras: mirrors.vooservers.com
 * updates: mirrors.vooservers.com
No matches found
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# cd /dev
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]# /sbin/MAKEDEV urandom;
bash: /sbin/MAKEDEV: No such file or directory
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]# yum install udev
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, langpacks
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
 * base: mirrors.vooservers.com
 * epel: epel.check-update.co.uk
 * extras: mirrors.vooservers.com
 * updates: mirrors.vooservers.com
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package systemd.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.4 will be updated
--> Processing Dependency: systemd = 219-19.el7_2.4 for package: systemd-python-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64
--> Processing Dependency: systemd = 219-19.el7_2.4 for package: systemd-sysv-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64
---> Package systemd.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13 will be an update
--> Processing Dependency: systemd-libs = 219-19.el7_2.13 for package: systemd-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64
--> Running transaction check
---> Package systemd-libs.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.4 will be updated
--> Processing Dependency: systemd-libs = 219-19.el7_2.4 for package: libgudev1-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64
---> Package systemd-libs.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13 will be an update
---> Package systemd-python.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.4 will be updated
---> Package systemd-python.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13 will be an update
---> Package systemd-sysv.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.4 will be updated
---> Package systemd-sysv.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13 will be an update
--> Running transaction check
---> Package libgudev1.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.4 will be updated
---> Package libgudev1.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13 will be an update
--> Finished Dependency Resolution

Dependencies Resolved

=========================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================
 Package                                                             Arch                                                        Version                                                              Repository                                                    Size
=========================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================
Updating:
 systemd                                                             x86_64                                                      219-19.el7_2.13                                                      updates                                                      5.1 M
Updating for dependencies:
 libgudev1                                                           x86_64                                                      219-19.el7_2.13                                                      updates                                                       67 k
 systemd-libs                                                        x86_64                                                      219-19.el7_2.13                                                      updates                                                      358 k
 systemd-python                                                      x86_64                                                      219-19.el7_2.13                                                      updates                                                      100 k
 systemd-sysv                                                        x86_64                                                      219-19.el7_2.13                                                      updates                                                       54 k

Transaction Summary
=========================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================
Upgrade  1 Package (+4 Dependent packages)

Total size: 5.7 M
Is this ok [y/d/N]: y
Downloading packages:
Running transaction check
Running transaction test
Transaction test succeeded
Running transaction
  Updating   : systemd-libs-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1/10
  Updating   : systemd-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                       2/10
  Updating   : systemd-sysv-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3/10
  Updating   : systemd-python-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                4/10
  Updating   : libgudev1-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                     5/10
  Cleanup    : systemd-sysv-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                   6/10
  Cleanup    : systemd-python-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                 7/10
  Cleanup    : systemd-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                        8/10
  Cleanup    : libgudev1-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                      9/10
  Cleanup    : systemd-libs-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                  10/10
  Verifying  : systemd-libs-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1/10
  Verifying  : systemd-sysv-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2/10
  Verifying  : systemd-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                       3/10
  Verifying  : systemd-python-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                4/10
  Verifying  : libgudev1-219-19.el7_2.13.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                     5/10
  Verifying  : systemd-libs-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                   6/10
  Verifying  : systemd-sysv-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                   7/10
  Verifying  : systemd-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                        8/10
  Verifying  : libgudev1-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                      9/10
  Verifying  : systemd-python-219-19.el7_2.4.x86_64                                                                                                                                                                                                                10/10

Updated:
  systemd.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13

Dependency Updated:
  libgudev1.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13                             systemd-libs.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13                             systemd-python.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13                             systemd-sysv.x86_64 0:219-19.el7_2.13

Complete!
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]# su adam
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ ssh root@localhost
cannot read from /dev/urandom, No such file or directory
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ /sbin/
Display all 526 possibilities? (y or n)
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ /sbin/MAKEDEV std
bash: /sbin/MAKEDEV: No such file or directory
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ mknod /dev/random c 1 9
mknod: ‘/dev/random’: Permission denied
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ exit
exit
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]# mknod /dev/random c 1 9
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]# su adam
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ ssh root@localhost
cannot read from /dev/urandom, No such file or directory
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ exit
exit
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]# mknod /dev/urandom c 1 9
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]# su adam
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ ssh root@localhost
Host key verification failed.
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test dev]$ exit


Dec  7 09:23:55 pirax-test login: FAILED LOGIN 1 FROM tty1 FOR root, Authentication failure
Dec  7 09:32:00 pirax-test polkitd[1031]: Loading rules from directory /etc/polkit-1/rules.d
Dec  7 09:32:00 pirax-test polkitd[1031]: Loading rules from directory /usr/share/polkit-1/rules.d
Dec  7 09:32:00 pirax-test polkitd[1031]: Finished loading, compiling and executing 2 rules
Dec  7 09:32:00 pirax-test polkitd[1031]: Acquired the name org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1 on the system bus
Dec  7 09:32:10 pirax-test sshd[1375]: Server listening on 0.0.0.0 port 666.
Dec  7 09:32:10 pirax-test sshd[1375]: Server listening on :: port 666.
Dec  7 09:32:24 pirax-test unix_chkpwd[2692]: password check failed for user (root)
Dec  7 09:32:24 pirax-test login: pam_unix(login:auth): authentication failure; logname=LOGIN uid=0 euid=0 tty=tty1 ruser= rhost=  user=root
Dec  7 09:32:24 pirax-test login: pam_succeed_if(login:auth): requirement "uid >= 1000" not met by user "root"
Dec  7 09:32:27 pirax-test login: FAILED LOGIN 1 FROM tty1 FOR root, Authentication failure
Dec  7 09:32:32 pirax-test unix_chkpwd[2694]: password check failed for user (root)
Dec  7 09:32:32 pirax-test login: pam_succeed_if(login:auth): requirement "uid >= 1000" not met by user "root"
Dec  7 09:32:34 pirax-test login: FAILED LOGIN 2 FROM tty1 FOR root, Authentication failure
Dec  7 09:32:39 pirax-test unix_chkpwd[2696]: password check failed for user (root)
Dec  7 09:32:39 pirax-test login: pam_succeed_if(login:auth): requirement "uid >= 1000" not met by user "root"
Dec  7 09:32:41 pirax-test login: FAILED LOGIN SESSION FROM tty1 FOR root, Authentication failure
Dec  7 09:32:41 pirax-test login: PAM 2 more authentication failures; logname=LOGIN uid=0 euid=0 tty=tty1 ruser= rhost=  user=root
Dec  7 10:05:17 pirax-test polkitd[1029]: Loading rules from directory /etc/polkit-1/rules.d
Dec  7 10:05:17 pirax-test polkitd[1029]: Loading rules from directory /usr/share/polkit-1/rules.d
Dec  7 10:05:17 pirax-test polkitd[1029]: Finished loading, compiling and executing 2 rules
Dec  7 10:05:17 pirax-test polkitd[1029]: Acquired the name org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1 on the system bus
Dec  7 10:05:27 pirax-test sshd[1375]: Server listening on 0.0.0.0 port 666.
Dec  7 10:05:27 pirax-test sshd[1375]: Server listening on :: port 666.
Dec  7 10:09:56 pirax-test unix_chkpwd[2791]: password check failed for user (root)
Dec  7 10:09:56 pirax-test login: pam_unix(login:auth): authentication failure; logname=LOGIN uid=0 euid=0 tty=tty1 ruser= rhost=  user=root
Dec  7 10:09:56 pirax-test login: pam_succeed_if(login:auth): requirement "uid >= 1000" not met by user "root"
Dec  7 10:09:58 pirax-test login: FAILED LOGIN 1 FROM tty1 FOR root, Authentication failure
Dec  7 10:10:07 pirax-test unix_chkpwd[2802]: password check failed for user (root)
Dec  7 10:10:07 pirax-test login: pam_succeed_if(login:auth): requirement "uid >= 1000" not met by user "root"
Dec  7 10:10:09 pirax-test login: FAILED LOGIN 2 FROM tty1 FOR root, Authentication failure
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# adduser adam
adduser: user 'adam' already exists
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# passwd adam
Changing password for user adam.
New password:
Retype new password:
passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully.
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# passwd root
Changing password for user root.
New password:
Retype new password:
passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully.
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# su adam
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test /]$ ssh adam@localhost
Host key verification failed.
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test /]$ exit
exit
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# vi /etc/ss
ssh/ ssl/
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# vi /etc/ss
ssh/ ssl/
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# vi /etc/ssh/
moduli                    ssh_config                sshd_config               ssh_host_ecdsa_key        ssh_host_ecdsa_key.pub    ssh_host_ed25519_key      ssh_host_ed25519_key.pub  ssh_host_rsa_key          ssh_host_rsa_key.pub
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# su adam
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test /]$ ssh adam@localhost
Host key verification failed.
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test /]$ exit
exit
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# mknod -m 666 /dev/tty c 5 0
[root@RESCUE-pirax-test /]# su adam
[adam@RESCUE-pirax-test /]$ ssh adam@localhost
The authenticity of host 'localhost (::1)' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is e1:0c:0f:95:94:55:84:00:0d:e9:36:42:1d:6d:9e:0c.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes
Warning: Permanently added 'localhost' (ECDSA) to the list of known hosts.
adam@localhost's password:

It’s still kind of broken, but its getting less broken by the minute ;-D