Controlling Switch Access with Passwords and Privilege Levels

Restrictions for Controlling Switch Access with Passwords and Privileges

Restrictions and Guidelines for Reversible Password Types

  • Type 6 encrypted password is supported from Cisco IOS Release 15.2(7)E2 and later releases. Autoconversion to password type 6 is supported from Cisco IOS Release 15.2(7)E3 and later releases.

  • If the startup configuration has a type 6 password and you downgrade to a version in which type 6 password is not supported, you can/may be locked out of the device.

Restrictions and Guidelines for Irreversible Password Types

  • Username secret password type 5 and enable secret password type 5 must be migrated to the stronger password type 8 or 9. For more information, see Protecting Enable and Enable Secret Passwords with Encryption.

  • Plain text passwords are converted to nonreversible encrypted password type 9.


    Note

    This is supported in Cisco IOS Release 15.2(7)E3 and later releases.

Information About Passwords and Privilege Levels

Default Password and Privilege Level Configuration

A simple way of providing terminal access control in your network is to use passwords and assign privilege levels. Password protection restricts access to a network or network device. Privilege levels define what commands users can enter after they have logged into a network device.

This table shows the default password and privilege level configuration.

Table 1. Default Password and Privilege Levels

Feature

Default Setting

Enable password and privilege level

No password is defined. The default is level 15 (privileged EXEC level). The password is not encrypted in the configuration file.

Enable secret password and privilege level

No password is defined. The default is level 15 (privileged EXEC level). The password is encrypted before it is written to the configuration file.

Line password

No password is defined.

Additional Password Security

To provide an additional layer of security, particularly for passwords that cross the network or that are stored on a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server, you can use either the enable password or enable secret global configuration commands. Both commands accomplish the same thing; that is, you can establish an encrypted password that users must enter to access privileged EXEC mode (the default) or any privilege level you specify.

We recommend that you use the enable secret command because it uses an improved encryption algorithm.

If you configure the enable secret command, it takes precedence over the enable password command; the two commands cannot be in effect simultaneously.

If you enable password encryption, it applies to all passwords including username passwords, authentication key passwords, the privileged command password, and console and virtual terminal line passwords.

Password Recovery

By default, any end user with physical access to the switch can recover from a lost password by interrupting the boot process while the switch is powering on and then by entering a new password.

The password-recovery disable feature protects access to the switch password by disabling part of this functionality. When this feature is enabled, the end user can interrupt the boot process only by agreeing to set the system back to the default configuration. With password recovery disabled, you can still interrupt the boot process and change the password, but the configuration file (config.text) and the VLAN database file (vlan.dat) are deleted.

If you disable password recovery, we recommend that you keep a backup copy of the configuration file on a secure server in case the end user interrupts the boot process and sets the system back to default values. Do not keep a backup copy of the configuration file on the switch. If the switch is operating in VTP transparent mode, we recommend that you also keep a backup copy of the VLAN database file on a secure server. When the switch is returned to the default system configuration, you can download the saved files to the switch by using the Xmodem protocol.

Terminal Line Telnet Configuration

When you power-up your switch for the first time, an automatic setup program runs to assign IP information and to create a default configuration for continued use. The setup program also prompts you to configure your switch for Telnet access through a password. If you did not configure this password during the setup program, you can configure it when you set a Telnet password for a terminal line.

Username and Password Pairs

You can configure username and password pairs, which are locally stored on the switch. These pairs are assigned to lines or ports and authenticate each user before that user can access the switch. If you have defined privilege levels, you can also assign a specific privilege level (with associated rights and privileges) to each username and password pair.

Privilege Levels

Cisco devices use privilege levels to provide password security for different levels of switch operation. By default, the Cisco IOS software operates in two modes (privilege levels) of password security: user EXEC (Level 1) and privileged EXEC (Level 15). You can configure up to 16 hierarchical levels of commands for each mode. By configuring multiple passwords, you can allow different sets of users to have access to specified commands.

Privilege Levels on Lines

Users can override the privilege level you set using the privilege level line configuration command by logging in to the line and enabling a different privilege level. They can lower the privilege level by using the disable command. If users know the password to a higher privilege level, they can use that password to enable the higher privilege level. You might specify a high level or privilege level for your console line to restrict line usage.

For example, if you want many users to have access to the clear line command, you can assign it level 2 security and distribute the level 2 password fairly widely. But if you want more restricted access to the configure command, you can assign it level 3 security and distribute that password to a more restricted group of users.

Command Privilege Levels

When you set a command to a privilege level, all commands whose syntax is a subset of that command are also set to that level. For example, if you set the show ip traffic command to level 15, the show commands and show ip commands are automatically set to privilege level 15 unless you set them individually to different levels.

How to Control Switch Access with Passwords and Privilege Levels

Setting or Changing a Static Enable Password

The enable password controls access to the privileged EXEC mode. Follow these steps to set or change a static enable password:

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable
  2. configure terminal
  3. enable password password
  4. end
  5. show running-config
  6. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:


Switch> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

  • Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:


Switch# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

enable password password

Example:


Switch(config)# enable password secret321

Defines a new password or changes an existing password for access to privileged EXEC mode.

By default, no password is defined.

For password , specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters. The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces. It can contain the question mark (?) character if you precede the question mark with the key combination Crtl-v when you create the password; for example, to create the password abc?123, do this:

  1. Enter abc.

  2. Enter Crtl-v.

  3. Enter ?123.

When the system prompts you to enter the enable password, you need not precede the question mark with the Ctrl-v; you can simply enter abc?123 at the password prompt.

Step 4

end

Example:


Switch(config)# end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 5

show running-config

Example:


Switch# show running-config

Verifies your entries.

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

Example:


Switch# copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Protecting Enable and Enable Secret Passwords with Encryption

Follow these steps to establish an encrypted password that users must enter to access privileged EXEC mode (the default) or any privilege level you specify:

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable
  2. configure terminal
  3. Use one of the following:
    • enable password [level level] {password | encryption-type encrypted-password}
    • enable secret [level level] {password | encryption-type encrypted-password}
  4. service password-encryption
  5. end
  6. show running-config
  7. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:


Switch> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

  • Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:


Switch# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

Use one of the following:

  • enable password [level level] {password | encryption-type encrypted-password}
  • enable secret [level level] {password | encryption-type encrypted-password}

Example:

Switch(config)# enable password example102

or 

Switch(config)# enable secret level 1 password secret123sample

  • Defines a new password or changes an existing password for access to privileged EXEC mode.

  • Defines a secret password, which is saved using a nonreversible encryption method.

    • (Optional) For level , the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is normal user EXEC mode privileges. The default level is 15 (privileged EXEC mode privileges).

    • For password , specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters. The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces. By default, no password is defined.

    • (Optional) For encryption-type , only type 5, a Cisco proprietary encryption algorithm, is available. If you specify an encryption type, you must provide an encrypted password—an encrypted password that you copy from another switch configuration.

    Note

     

    If you specify an encryption type and then enter a clear text password, you can not re-enter privileged EXEC mode. You cannot recover a lost encrypted password by any method.

Step 4

service password-encryption

Example:


Switch(config)# service password-encryption

(Optional) Encrypts the password when the password is defined or when the configuration is written.

Encryption prevents the password from being readable in the configuration file.

Step 5

end

Example:


Switch(config)# end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 6

show running-config

Example:


Switch# show running-config

Verifies your entries.

Step 7

copy running-config startup-config

Example:


Switch# copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Disabling Password Recovery

Follow these steps to disable password recovery to protect the security of your switch:

Before you begin

If you disable password recovery, we recommend that you keep a backup copy of the configuration file on a secure server in case the end user interrupts the boot process and sets the system back to default values. Do not keep a backup copy of the configuration file on the switch. If the switch is operating in VTP transparent mode, we recommend that you also keep a backup copy of the VLAN database file on a secure server. When the switch is returned to the default system configuration, you can download the saved files to the switch by using the Xmodem protocol.

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable
  2. configure terminal
  3. system disable password recovery switch <1-9>
  4. end

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:


Switch> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

  • Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:


Switch# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

system disable password recovery switch <1-9>

Example:


Switch(config)# system disable password recovery switch all

Disables password recovery.

  • all - Sets the configuration on switches in stack.
  • <1-9> - Sets the configuration on the Switch Number selected.

This setting is saved in an area of the flash memory that is accessible by the boot loader and the Cisco IOS image, but it is not part of the file system and is not accessible by any user.

Step 4

end

Example:


Switch(config)# end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

What to do next

To remove disable password recovery , use the no system disable password recovery switch all global configuration command.

Setting a Telnet Password for a Terminal Line

Beginning in user EXEC mode, follow these steps to set a Telnet password for the connected terminal line:

Before you begin

  • Attach a PC or workstation with emulation software to the switch console port, or attach a PC to the Ethernet management port.

  • The default data characteristics of the console port are 9600, 8, 1, no parity. You might need to press the Return key several times to see the command-line prompt.

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable
  2. configure terminal
  3. line vty 0 15
  4. password password
  5. end
  6. show running-config
  7. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:


Switch> enable

Note

 

If a password is required for access to privileged EXEC mode, you will be prompted for it.

Enters privileged EXEC mode.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:


Switch# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

line vty 0 15

Example:


Switch(config)# line vty 0 15

Configures the number of Telnet sessions (lines), and enters line configuration mode.

There are 16 possible sessions on a command-capable Switch. The 0 and 15 mean that you are configuring all 16 possible Telnet sessions.

Step 4

password password

Example:


Switch(config-line)# password abcxyz543

Sets a Telnet password for the line or lines.

For password , specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters. The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces. By default, no password is defined.

Step 5

end

Example:


Switch(config-line)# end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 6

show running-config

Example:


Switch# show running-config

Verifies your entries.

Step 7

copy running-config startup-config

Example:


Switch# copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Configuring Username and Password Pairs

Follow these steps to configure username and password pairs:

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable
  2. configure terminal
  3. username name [privilege level] {password encryption-type password}
  4. Use one of the following:
    • line console 0
    • line vty 0 15
  5. login local
  6. end
  7. show running-config
  8. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:


Switch> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

  • Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:


Switch# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

username name [privilege level] {password encryption-type password}

Example:


Switch(config)# username adamsample privilege 1 password secret456


Switch(config)# username 111111111111 mac attribute

Sets the username, privilege level, and password for each user.

  • For name , specify the user ID as one word or the MAC address. Spaces and quotation marks are not allowed.

  • You can configure a maximum of 12000 clients each, for both username and MAC filter.

  • (Optional) For level , specify the privilege level the user has after gaining access. The range is 0 to 15. Level 15 gives privileged EXEC mode access. Level 1 gives user EXEC mode access.

  • For encryption-type , enter 0 to specify that an unencrypted password will follow. Enter 7 to specify that a hidden password will follow.

  • For password , specify the password the user must enter to gain access to the Switch. The password must be from 1 to 25 characters, can contain embedded spaces, and must be the last option specified in the username command.

Step 4

Use one of the following:

  • line console 0
  • line vty 0 15

Example:

Switch(config)# line console 0

or 

Switch(config)# line vty 15

Enters line configuration mode, and configures the console port (line 0) or the VTY lines (line 0 to 15).

Step 5

login local

Example:


Switch(config-line)# login local

Enables local password checking at login time. Authentication is based on the username specified in Step 3.

Step 6

end

Example:


Switch(config)# end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 7

show running-config

Example:


Switch# show running-config

Verifies your entries.

Step 8

copy running-config startup-config

Example:


Switch# copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Setting the Privilege Level for a Command

Follow these steps to set the privilege level for a command:

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable
  2. configure terminal
  3. privilege mode level level command
  4. enable password level level password
  5. end
  6. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:


Switch> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

  • Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:


Switch# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

privilege mode level level command

Example:


Switch(config)# privilege exec level 14 configure

Sets the privilege level for a command.

  • For mode , enter configure for global configuration mode, exec for EXEC mode, interface for interface configuration mode, or line for line configuration mode.

  • For level , the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is for normal user EXEC mode privileges. Level 15 is the level of access permitted by the enable password.

  • For command , specify the command to which you want to restrict access.

Step 4

enable password level level password

Example:


Switch(config)# enable password level 14 SecretPswd14

Specifies the password to enable the privilege level.

  • For level , the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is for normal user EXEC mode privileges.

  • For password , specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters. The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces. By default, no password is defined.

Step 5

end

Example:


Switch(config)# end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

Example:


Switch# copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

Changing the Default Privilege Level for Lines

Follow these steps to change the default privilege level for the specified line:

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable
  2. configure terminal
  3. line vty line
  4. privilege level level
  5. end
  6. copy running-config startup-config

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:


Switch> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

  • Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:


Switch# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

line vty line

Example:


Switch(config)# line vty 10

Selects the virtual terminal line on which to restrict access.

Step 4

privilege level level

Example:


Switch(config)# privilege level 15

Changes the default privilege level for the line.

For level , the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is for normal user EXEC mode privileges. Level 15 is the level of access permitted by the enable password.

Step 5

end

Example:


Switch(config)# end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.

Step 6

copy running-config startup-config

Example:


Switch# copy running-config startup-config

(Optional) Saves your entries in the configuration file.

What to do next

Users can override the privilege level you set using the privilege level line configuration command by logging in to the line and enabling a different privilege level. They can lower the privilege level by using the disable command. If users know the password to a higher privilege level, they can use that password to enable the higher privilege level. You might specify a high level or privilege level for your console line to restrict line usage.

Logging into and Exiting a Privilege Level

Beginning in user EXEC mode, follow these steps to log into a specified privilege level and exit a specified privilege level.

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable level
  2. disable level

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable level

Example:


Switch> enable 15

Logs in to a specified privilege level.

Following the example, Level 15 is privileged EXEC mode.

For level , the range is 0 to 15.

Step 2

disable level

Example:


Switch# disable 1

Exits to a specified privilege level.

Following the example, Level 1 is user EXEC mode.

For level , the range is 0 to 15.

Monitoring Switch Access

Table 2. Commands for Displaying DHCP Information

show privilege

Displays the privilege level configuration.

Configuration Examples for Setting Passwords and Privilege Levels

Example: Setting or Changing a Static Enable Password

This example shows how to change the enable password to l1u2c3k4y5. The password is not encrypted and provides access to level 15 (traditional privileged EXEC mode access): 


Switch(config)# enable password l1u2c3k4y5

Example: Protecting Enable and Enable Secret Passwords with Encryption

This example shows how to configure the encrypted password $1$FaD0$Xyti5Rkls3LoyxzS8 for privilege level 2: 


Switch(config)# enable secret level 2 5 $1$FaD0$Xyti5Rkls3LoyxzS8

Example: Setting a Telnet Password for a Terminal Line

This example shows how to set the Telnet password to let45me67in89: 


Switch(config)# line vty 10
Switch(config-line)# password let45me67in89

Example: Setting the Privilege Level for a Command

This example shows how to set the configure command to privilege level 14 and define SecretPswd14 as the password users must enter to use level 14 commands: 


Switch(config)# privilege exec level 14 configure
Switch(config)# enable password level 14 SecretPswd14

Additional References

Error Message Decoder

Description Link

To help you research and resolve system error messages in this release, use the Error Message Decoder tool.

https://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/Support/Errordecoder/index.cgi

MIBs

MIB MIBs Link

To locate and download MIBs for selected platforms, Cisco IOS releases, and feature sets, use Cisco MIB Locator found at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/mibs

Technical Assistance

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To receive security and technical information about your products, you can subscribe to various services, such as the Product Alert Tool (accessed from Field Notices), the Cisco Technical Services Newsletter, and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds.

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