---
name: "unix_chkpwd"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "pam"
version: "1.7.3-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/unix_chkpwd"
---

# unix\_chkpwd(8)

Helper binary that verifies the password of the current user

## NAME

unix\_chkpwd - Helper binary that verifies the password of the current user

## SYNOPSIS

**unix\_chkpwd** \[...\]

## DESCRIPTION

*unix\_chkpwd* is a helper program for the *pam\_unix* module that verifies the password of the current user. It also checks password and account expiration dates in *shadow*. It is not intended to be run directly from the command line and logs a security violation if done so.

It is typically installed setuid root or setgid shadow.

The interface of the helper - command line options, and input/output data format are internal to the *pam\_unix* module and it should not be called directly from applications.

## SEE ALSO

[**pam\_unix**(8)](/pam_unix/8.md)

## AUTHOR

Written by Andrew Morgan and other various people.