In traditional UNIX systems and Linux distributions, the sudoers file is typically located at /etc/sudoers. However, Solaris has had some variations across different versions, particularly during the transition from Solaris 9 to Solaris 10.

For Solaris 10 and later versions (including Solaris 11), the sudoers file follows the conventional UNIX path:

/etc/sudoers

This is the primary configuration file for sudo privileges. You'll need root access or equivalent privileges to view or modify this file.

Solaris 9 didn't include sudo by default in the base installation. If you installed sudo manually (from sunfreeware.com or other sources), the location could vary based on the installation method:

/usr/local/etc/sudoers

OR

/opt/sfw/etc/sudoers

The latter path was common for packages installed from the Solaris Freeware collection.

For any Solaris version, you can confirm the sudoers file location by checking where sudo looks for its configuration:

sudo -V | grep "sudoers file"

Sample output might show:

sudoers file: /etc/sudoers

Always use visudo for editing to prevent syntax errors that could lock you out of sudo access. The command automatically checks syntax before saving.

visudo -f /etc/sudoers

For older Solaris 9 systems where visudo might not be in PATH:

/usr/local/sbin/visudo

Here's a typical entry you might add to grant sudo privileges:

# User privilege specification
username ALL=(ALL) ALL

# Group privilege specification
%admin ALL=(ALL) ALL

When upgrading from Solaris 9 to 10, remember to:

1. Backup your existing sudoers file
2. Verify path changes
3. Test sudo functionality after migration

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The sudoers file is a critical configuration file in Unix-like systems that defines user privileges for executing commands with elevated permissions. In Solaris, its location and syntax may vary between versions, particularly Solaris 9 and 10.

In Solaris 9, the sudoers file is typically found at:

/etc/sudoers

For Solaris 10, the path remains the same:

/etc/sudoers

However, Solaris 10 introduced RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) as an alternative to sudo, which might affect how administrators configure privileges.

• Syntax Compatibility: Solaris 10 supports newer sudo versions with additional features
• Security Enhancements: Solaris 10 includes stricter default permissions
• Alternatives: Solaris 10's RBAC may reduce sudo usage in some environments

Always use visudo to edit the file, which prevents syntax errors:

# visudo

Example entry for granting a user admin privileges:

jsmith ALL=(ALL) ALL

After editing, test with:

sudo -l

This lists the current user's sudo privileges without executing commands.

Permission denied errors often occur when the sudoers file has incorrect permissions. Ensure:

chmod 440 /etc/sudoers
chown root:root /etc/sudoers

For Solaris 10 systems using both sudo and RBAC, check for potential conflicts in privilege assignment.

When upgrading from Solaris 9 to 10:

1. Backup existing sudoers file
2. Test privilege escalation after upgrade
3. Consider implementing RBAC for new services

Time-restricted access in Solaris 10:

%operators ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/backup, \
    /usr/bin/restore, TIMEOUT=120

Command aliases for cleaner configuration:

Cmnd_Alias BACKUP = /usr/bin/backup, /usr/bin/restore
User_Alias OPS = jsmith, wjones
OPS ALL=(ALL) BACKUP