Does Splunk Forwarder need an interactive login?

[danielteachesit]

All, 

I've noticed by default that Splunk Forwarder gives itself /bin/bash  in /etc/passwd. 

e.g.

splunk:x:1001:1001:Splunk Server:/opt/splunkforwarder:/bin/bash

I changed it to the below and restarted:

splunk:x:1001:1001:Splunk Server:/opt/splunkforwarder:/sbin/nologin

Best I can tell there was no impact. Scripted inputs are working as it the monitor stanza's. 

Is there any reason I should leave Splunk user with a Shell? 

thanks!

[gcusello]

Hi @danielteachesit,

the splunk user, assigned as owner to Splunk Universal Forwarders, doesn't need the Linux shell.

I usually disable it in my production installation.

Ciao.

Giuseppe

[isoutamo]

You should also lock splunk user not only set shell to nologin. If/when need to use e.g. btool to check what those configurations are, just use "sudo -usplunk bash" command to get shell.

[richgalloway]

There is no need for the Splunk account to have a shell assigned to it.