PolicyKit authentication not accepting passwords

[Mark Pokorny]

Binary package hint: policykit

Description: Ubuntu hardy (development branch)
Release: 8.04
Packages:
    policykit 0.7-2ubuntu5
    policykit-gnome 0.7-2

When attempting to change system items (such as the system clock, user password or anything in the 'Authorizations' application), the policykit window that appears does not accept the password that I enter (I am 100% sure it is correct). Instead what happens is that after five seconds or so, the window 'wobbles' back and forth (twice) by a few pixels, and then clears the password box as if prompting to reinsert the password.

[Laurent Riffard (laurent-riffard)]

I had the exact same problem until I change my password.

My old password contained the string "%m" (percent sign, m), I'm pretty sure polkit-grant-helper badly mangled this string before validating th password.

Hint :
- type your password, but don't hit "Enter",
- switch to a text console and run "sudo strace -p $(pidof
- go back to to your Gnome console an hit "Enter"
- go back to the text console and see the string polkit-grant-helper tried to write...

[Laurent Riffard (laurent-riffard)]

sorry, bad copy'n'paste

In the text console, you should run "strace -p $(pidof polkit-grant-helper)"

[Mark Pokorny (iridium193)]

Mine had "%n" in it, so it sounds like the '%' symbol is causing the problems.
Unfortunately I can't try out your tips at the moment because I need my system back for uni - so I've ended up reinstalling Feisty Fawn for the time being. If I get a moment at the weekend, I'll certainly give your tips a try. I'll also set it up with different passwords to see if they make much of a difference too!

[Mark Pokorny (iridium193)]

This one appears to have been fixed as of 0.7-2ubuntu6.