Tutorial: How to Replace the Legacy openvpn Administrative Account
Replace the legacy openvpn admin account from your updated Access Server to improve security. This tutorial steps you through.
Overview
Access Server 2.10 and older use a default, openvpn administrative account that exists in the operating system as a PAM authenticated user. This unique account type is automatically granted administrative login rights in Access Server, bypasses any post-auth scripts, bypasses MFA requirements, bypasses the password lockout policy, and always authenticates via PAM to the operating system. We recommend you upgrade to the latest Access Server version, remove this bootstrap openvpn account, and create a local administrative account. This results in a more secure administrative account that isn't in the operating system and adheres to MFA and lockout policies.
Tip
Even when you update an older Access Server to version 2.10 or newer, the bootstrap openvpn administrative account is retained. You must follow this tutorial to replace it with a local administrative account.
An Access Server installation that started with a version older than 2.10.
Important
If you started with Access Server 2.10 and newer, the openvpn administrative account created is a locally authenticated administrative account, which is more secure than the bootstrap account. Thus, this tutorial doesn't apply to your Access Server installation.
Start by upgrading your Access Server to the latest version: Tutorial: Keep Access Server Updated.
Tip
Signing in to the Admin Web UI is an easy way to check your Access Server version. The version is displayed in the side navigation and on the status overview page.
The next step is to delete the bootstrap openvpn account. This account is also a bootstrap account specified in the as.conf file, in addition to being a user on the Linux operating system.
Sign on to your console or connect via SSH.
Edit the as.conf file:
nano /usr/local/openvpn_as/etc/as.conf
Comment out the bootstrap openvpn account. The line will look like this:
# boot_pam_users.0=openvpn
Save and exit.
Remove the bootstrap account from your operating system:
deluser openvpn
Restart the Access Server service for the changes to take effect:
service openvpnas restart
Tip
You may want to test this by attempting to sign in to your Admin Web UI with this account. You should no longer be able to authenticate.
Create a new local administrative account:
Run these commands to create a new openvpn local administrative account with a specified password:
You should now be able to sign in to the Admin Web UI with the new local administrative account and the specified password.
Open a web browser and navigate to the Admin Web UI.
Enter your new admin user's credentials.
You should successfully sign in.
Tip
You can contact support for further assistance if you can't sign in.