pikvm/docs/auth.md

Authentication

PiKVM OS is based on a regular Linux system, so everything about authorization in this OS is also true for PiKVM. It comes with the following default passwords:

• Linux admin (SSH, console, etc.): user root, password root.
• PiKVM Web Interface, API, VNC...: user admin, password admin, no 2FA code.

These are two separate entities with independent accounts.

Also there is another special Linux user: kvmd-webterm. It can't be used for login or remote access to PiKVM OS and has the non-privileged rights in the OS. Password access and sudo is disabled for it. It is used only for launching the Web Terminal. These restrictions are set for security reasons.

---

Root access in the Web Terminal

As mentioned above, the Web Terminal runs under user kvmd-webterm with disabled sudo and password access. However, most PiKVM administration commands require the root access. To obtain it in the Web Terminal, type su - and then enter the root user password:

[kvmd-webterm@pikvm ~]$ su -
...
[root@pikvm kvmd-webterm]#

??? tip "Disabling the Web Terminal"

Sometimes the actual owner of a PiKVM device and the user who is allowed to use it are different people.
So you may want to disable console access from the Web UI. To do this, use the following:

```
[root@pikvm ~]# rw
[root@pikvm ~]# systemctl disable --now kvmd-webterm
[root@pikvm ~]# ro
```

For your own access to PiKVM OS, you will still have SSH.

---

Changing the Linux password

[root@pikvm ~]# rw
[root@pikvm ~]# passwd root
[root@pikvm ~]# ro

---

Changing the KVM password

[root@pikvm ~]# rw
[root@pikvm ~]# kvmd-htpasswd set admin
[root@pikvm ~]# ro

Please note that admin is a name of a default user. It is possible to create several different users with different passwords to access the Web UI, but keep in mind that they all have the same rights:

[root@pikvm ~]# kvmd-htpasswd set <user> # Sets a new user with password
[root@pikvm ~]# kvmd-htpasswd list # Show the list of users
[root@pikvm ~]# kvmd-htpasswd del <user> # Removes/deletes a user

---

Two-factor authentication

This is a new method of strengthening the protection of PiKVM, available since KVM >= 3.196. It is strongly recommended to enable it if you expose the PiKVM in the big and scary Internet.

!!! warning Using 2FA eliminates the possibility of using IPMI and VNC with vncauth (both disabled by default). It also slightly affects the use of API and regular VNC with user/password, read below.

Please note that 2FA does not concern the Linux OS access for the `root` user, so take care of a strong password
for it for SSH access (or setup the [key access](https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-configure-ssh-key-based-authentication-on-a-linux-server)).

??? example "Step by step: Enabling 2FA on PiKVM"

1. Update OS and reboot:

    ```
    [root@pikvm ~]# rw
    [root@pikvm ~]# pacman -Syu
    [root@pikvm ~]# reboot
    ```

2. **Make sure that NTP is running otherwise you will not be able to access** (`timedatectl` command).
    The timezone doesn't matter.

3. Install the `Google Authenticator` app to your mobile device
    ([iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-authenticator/id388497605),
    [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2)). It will generate one-time access codes.

4. Create a secret for one-time codes on PiKVM:
   ```
   [root@pikvm ~]# rw
   [root@pikvm ~]# kvmd-totp init
   [root@pikvm ~]# ro
   ```

5. Run the `Google Authenticator` and scan the QR code.

6. Now, on the PiKVM login page, you will need to add 6 digits to the `2FA code` field.

All Web UI users will be required to enter a one-time password on login. In other words, the secret is the same for all users.

!!! note With 2FA for API or VNC authentication, you will need to append the one-time code to the password without spaces. That is, if the password is foobar and the code is 123456, then you need to use foobar123456 as the password.

To view the current QR code of the secret use command kvmd-totp show.

To disable 2FA and remove the secret, use command kvmd-totp del.