Default root Password
During installation, Kali Linux allows users to configure a password for the root user. However, should you decide to boot the live image instead, the i386, amd64, VMWare and ARM images are configured with the default root password – “toor“, without the quotes. So the username = root and password = toor.
In Kali Linux 2020.1, both the default user and password will be “kali”
Kali Linux invalid password root toor for version 2020.1
More information here.
Kali changed to a non-root user policy by default since the release of 2020.1.
During the installation of amd64 images, it will prompt you for a standard user account to be created.
Any default operating system credentials used during Live Boot, or pre-created image (like Virtual Machines & ARM) will be:
Vagrant image (based on their policy):
Some tools shipped with Kali, will use their own default hardcoded credentials (others will generate a new password the first time its used). The following tools have the default values:
For versions of Kali Linux older than 2020.1, here is our previous credential information and root policy information.
Just encountered the same problem with a fresh Kali Linux install. I chose to disable root login, and create a user account instead. Don’t remember giving a root password
But here’s an easy workaround to jump straight into a root-shell without the password:
simple as that, now you’re free to change your root password:
All times are GMT. The time now is 22:28.
I downloaded the Kali Linux VWware 64 bit file, got it running on Oracle's virtualbox ( kali-linux-2020-1-vbox-amd64-ova ). I got the default password from the website I downloaded the file from (it's root/ toor), but in the virtual machine it's prompting me for a username as well, and I don't know what it is or where to find it. Anyone know what this is all about? Thanks in advance
What is the role of the GRUB bootloader in changing the root password?
The GRUB bootloader allows you to modify boot parameters temporarily, enabling access to a root terminal where you can change the root password. This is useful if you’ve forgotten the root password or need to change it for security reasons.
Kali Linux Default root Password is toor
How do I change the root password through GRUB?
You can change the root password by booting into the GRUB menu, editing the boot parameters, and using the ‘passwd root’ command in a root shell.
Step 1: Boot into GRUB Menu.
Restart your Kali Linux machine and wait until the GRUB menu appears. Do not select any options or boot into Kali immediately.
Step 2: Edit GRUB Entries
Now you need to edit the grub entries, so you can spawn a root session. Press “e” key to enter edit mode.
Step 3: Modify Boot Parameters
Now you need to find the keyword “linux”, in our case you can see that the last line starts with “linux”, which is kernel selection. In our case “/boot/v,linuz-5.5.0.0-kali2-amd64” represents our active kernel.
Navigate in the line to “ro” (read only) and replace it with “rw” (read and write).
In the same line navigate to “quite splash” and replace it with
These changes are not saved permanently and grub uses default configurations, once you have made these changes press key “f10” to boot. This will create a terminal session with root privileges.
Method 2: Changing the Root Password from the Terminal
This method involves using the terminal to switch to the root user and update the password.
Step 3: Change the root password
Once we have switched to the root user, we need to use the following command to change the root password
Now we will be prompted to enter the new root password. Try to enter strong passwords, after that we need to enter the desired password again for confirmation.
Can I change the root password on any Linux system, or is it exclusive to Kali Linux?
The steps provided in the article can be applied to any Linux system that uses the GRUB bootloader, not just Kali Linux.
