Agent uninstalled failed on Linux endpoint due to Python Distribution.

Products

Endpoint Protection

Issue/Introduction

When uninstalling Symantec Endpoint Protection agent from Linux systems users may encounter the following error message:

Stopping Agent..
Uninstalling Symantec Agent for Linux
Symantec Endpoint Protection (Cloud) ...
Removing package sdcss-caf sdcss sdcss-kmod sdcss-scripts
error 1:Agent uninstall failed.

Environment

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7

Cause

After inspecting the sdcss_uninstall.log reveals a specific error:

  File "/bin/yum", line 30
    except KeyboardInterrupt, e:
                            ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

This error suggests a problem with the Python distribution on the system. The Python interpreter encounters a syntax error due to an unsupported syntax usage, likely caused by compatibility issues with the current Python distribution.

Resolution

To resolve the issue of the SEP Linux Agent uninstall failure due to Python distribution, follow these steps:

Identify Python Distribution Issue: Confirm that the error indeed stems from a Python distribution problem. The presence of syntax errors related to Python in the uninstallation logs indicates this issue.

Change Python Distribution: Consider switching to a different Python distribution. Ensure compatibility with the SEP Linux Agent uninstallation process. Choose a Python version supported by both the agent and the operating system to mitigate potential compatibility issues.

Unlink Python Script: If changing the Python distribution is not feasible or practical, try unlinking the problematic Python script causing the syntax error. This approach can temporarily resolve the issue and allow the uninstallation process to proceed smoothly.

Proceed with Uninstallation: After addressing the Python distribution issue, proceed with the uninstallation of the SEP Linux Agent. Follow the documented procedures provided by Symantec to ensure a successful removal: Uninstalling the Symantec Endpoint Protection Linux Agent

By following these steps, users can effectively troubleshoot and resolve agent uninstallation failures on Linux endpoints attributed to Python distribution issues, ensuring smooth management of security software within their environments.

Additional Information

Uninstalling the Symantec Endpoint Protection Linux Agent or the Symantec Single Agent for Linux:
https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/symantec-security-software/endpoint-security-and-management/endpoint-protection/all/symantec-single-agent-for-linux-guide/uninstalling-the-client-for-linux-v95329300-d21e2314.html