Where Are Linux PAM Config Files?
Linux /etc/pam.d service stacks plus limits and access configs.
Last updated
Linux authenticates logins, sudo and services through PAM stacks in /etc/pam.d, one file per service wiring auth, account, password and session modules. A typo here locks out the service silently.
Limits and access rules complement the stacks from nearby files. Back up the directory before hardening or one bad line ends SSH access.
Where Linux stores this, by platform
/etc/pam.d
Per-service stacks like sshd, sudo and login with module chains inside. Resource limits come from /etc/security/limits.conf and access rules from access.conf. Keep a root session open while testing changes; broken stacks lock out new logins including yours.
Frequently asked questions
Locked out after editing PAM. Now what?
Recover from console or rescue media and restore the directory backup above. Never close the last root session before testing new stacks.
Where are login resource limits?
In /etc/security/limits.conf next to the stacks above. PAM applies them at session setup per user and group.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.