Splunk's $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/passwd File syntax and encryption/hashing algorithm

[Ricapar]

I've searched around a good bit.. haven't found any official documentation on the topic.

On Splunk forwarders and indexers, Splunk stores users and their info in $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/passwd

Cat-ing the file on one of my forwarders looks like this:

:admin:<hashed-password>::Administrator:admin:changeme@example.com:

My two questions are:

1. What is the full syntax for the passwd file? Some fields are obvious, but I still haven't found any offical docs on the syntax.
2. How is the hashed password generated? Is it actually a hash, or a reversible encryption? In either case, what algorithm is used and how is it seeded?

[nikhil1231]

Hi i forgot my password, i need help in resetting it. many thanks

[Ayn]

http://splunk-base.splunk.com/answers/26845/local-splunk-authentication