"Cannot execute /bin/appliancesh: no such file or directory" error when logging in to vSphere Replication Appliance via admin user

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware Live Recovery

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Log in to the vSphere Replication Appliance via a PuTTY session using the admin user account fails with the following error: When attempting to log in to the vSphere Replication Appliance using the admin user account via a PuTTY (SSH) session, the login fails with the following error:
  
  vSphere Replication applaince putty login screen output example:

login as: admin
Pre-authentication banner message from server:
vSphere Replication Appliance 9.0.2.16590 build 24628359
End of banner message from server
admin@<appliance-IP>'s password:
admin@<hostname> [ ~ ]$ sudo su
[sudo] password for admin:
Cannot execute /bin/appliancesh: No such file or directory
admin@<hostname> [ ~ ]$
• The root or admin account is not locked.
  
  
• The root or admin password is not expired.
  
  
• Resetting the password does not resolve the issue.

Environment

VMware Site Recovery Manager 8.x
VMware vSphere Replication 8.x
VMware vSphere Replication 9.x
VMware Live Site Recovery

Cause

This issue may occur if the default shell for the root user has been modified or is set to an invalid path (/bin/appliancesh), which does not exist on the system.

Resolution

• Follow the KB # 312789 and implement the steps till the following steps on the vSphere Replication appliance.
  
  
• Press the F10 key to boot, and at the bash command promp,t mount the root partition            
  
  
  • mount -o remount, rw /
    
    
• Once the above mount is completed, you will be under the root # prompt.
  
  
• Open the /etc/passwd file with the command:  vi /etc/passwd
  
  
• Update the /etc/passwd file.
   
  • For example:
    
    root:............:/bin/appliancesh
    
    
  • Would need to be:

                  root:.............:/bin/bash

• Validate if you can now SSH/console using the admin user.