Re: MD5 password magic numbers

[OKUJI Yoshinori]

From: address@hidden
Subject: MD5 password magic numbers
Date: 20 Oct 2000 21:29:57 -0000

> Although it is unlikely than anyone will have a password beginning
> with "--", it isn't outside the realm of possibilities.  A longer
> string might be in order.  It would probably be a fatal bug if
> someone was unable to boot after an upgrade.  I know how much
> documentation I tend to glance at when upgrading various bits of
> software.

  Do you think that I approved the patch without considering the
possibility? I have been making effort not to break compatibility
unreasonably, and so I approve a patch only if it wouldn't make
anyone's machine unbootable. I'm conservative enough.

  In this case, if you have a password prefixed with `--', your menu
interface will just not be protected by the password. You can boot
menu entries with no problem. And, if you have upgraded GRUB right
now, you should sit in the front of your machine, so you can change
your password to a safe one immediately. Therefore, I decided that the
incompatibility would be acceptable. Ok?

Okuji