package vsftpd 2.3.2-3ubuntu4.1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1

[Antoine Wils]

after installing vsftpd via 'sudo apt-get -y install vsftpd' I uninstall it via 'sudo apt-get remove vsftpd' and got a system error popup.
I have Ubuntu 11.04
Linux 2.6.38-13-generic #52-Ubuntu SMP Tue Nov 8 16:53:51 UTC 2011 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: vsftpd 2.3.2-3ubuntu4.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-13.52-generic 2.6.38.8
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-13-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
AptOrdering: vsftpd: Remove
Architecture: amd64
Date: Tue Dec 13 14:13:23 2011
DpkgTerminalLog:
 Removing vsftpd ...
 dpkg: error processing vsftpd (--remove):
  subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Release amd64 (20110427.1)
SourcePackage: vsftpd
Title: package vsftpd 2.3.2-3ubuntu4.1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Robie Basak (racb)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this issue and helping to make Ubuntu better.

I have been unable to reproduce this on a fresh natty image installing vsftpd from -updates and then removing it using "apt-get remove vsftpd".

It could be that there is a problem specific to your machine. Could you please try the following command and paste the output, so that we can see where exactly it is failing? Once done, please set the the Status back to New. Thanks!

Please run: sudo sh -x /var/lib/dpkg/info/vsftpd.postrm remove

[Antoine Wils (antoine-wils)]

Hi Robie,

here is the output.
FYI I did reinstall vsftpd in the mean time. The command you asked was executed atfer reinstallation

$ sudo sh -x /var/lib/dpkg/info/vsftpd.postrm remove

+ set -e
+ _USERNAME=ftp
+ _GROUPNAME=ftp
+ _DIRECTORY=/srv/ftp
+ [ -x /usr/sbin/deluser ]
+ deluser --quiet --system ftp

[Robie Basak (racb)]

Antoine,

I need the command executed when the system is in the failed state, please.

[Robie Basak (racb)]

This may be a dup of bug 901180.

[Antoine Wils (antoine-wils)]

you're right, it is a dup of bug 901180.
I cannot reproduce the crash but 'sudo apt-get remove vsftpd' return like the bug:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  vsftpd
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 1 not upgraded.
After this operation, 463 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]?
(Reading database ... 212726 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing vsftpd ...
vsftpd stop/waiting
dpkg: error processing vsftpd (--remove):
 subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1
Processing triggers for man-db ...
Processing triggers for ureadahead ...
ureadahead will be reprofiled on next reboot
Errors were encountered while processing:
 vsftpd
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

$ sh -x /var/lib/dpkg/info/vsftpd.postrm remove
+ set -e
+ _USERNAME=ftp
+ _GROUPNAME=ftp
+ _DIRECTORY=/srv/ftp
+ [ -x /usr/sbin/deluser ]
+ deluser --quiet --system ftp
/usr/sbin/deluser: Only root may remove a user or group from the system.

$ sudo sh -x /var/lib/dpkg/info/vsftpd.postrm remove
+ set -e
+ _USERNAME=ftp
+ _GROUPNAME=ftp
+ _DIRECTORY=/srv/ftp
+ [ -x /usr/sbin/deluser ]
+ deluser --quiet --system ftp