Help: Format error in host access file?

[jaffo]

I've been trying to set up FTP for a while now. I've finally made some progress, but I've hit a wall and can't find any solutions.

This is on a RH7.3 machine. It appears I've got the service running, but every time I try to log in - either as anonymous or as an actual user - it says "530 Login incorrect."

I can SSH in just fine, so I know that my reg username/pass is OK. So I went and checked my /var/log/messages file and found this:
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Aug 2 11:28:09 fatbastard ftpd[948]: host_access: Format error in host access file
Aug 2 11:28:09 fatbastard ftpd[948]: rhost_ok: sethacc failed
Aug 2 11:28:09 fatbastard ftpd[948]: FTP LOGIN REFUSED (name in /etc/ftphosts) FROM jaffo [192.168.1.150], anonymous
Aug 2 11:28:19 fatbastard ftpd[948]: host_access: Format error in host access file
Aug 2 11:28:19 fatbastard ftpd[948]: rhost_ok: sethacc failed
Aug 2 11:28:19 fatbastard ftpd[948]: FTP LOGIN REFUSED (name in /etc/ftphosts) FROM jaffo [192.168.1.150], kuhns
Aug 2 11:28:20 fatbastard ftpd[948]: USER kuhns
Aug 2 11:28:20 fatbastard ftpd[948]: PASS password
Aug 2 11:28:22 fatbastard ftpd[948]: QUIT
Aug 2 11:28:22 fatbastard ftpd[948]: FTP session closed
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Does anyone have any idea why my logins are being refused and what type of format error I'd be getting in the host access file? Also, what file is it referring to when it says "host access file?"

Any help would be greatly appreciate and will lead to eternal happiness and peace for the world.

-Jaffo

[cowanrl]

If you're using the FTP server that is installed by RH 7.3 by default it's WU-FTP. The access file is /etc/ftpaccess. There is a man page that describes the format of the ftpaccess file.

If you've never edited this file, it's possible that it may just be corrupted. The default file is pretty long. If you have another machine there running RH 7.3, I'd try to copy the file from that machine. If not, try uninstalling and re-installing WU-FTP.

[jaffo]

Yes I am using wu-ftp. The only edit I've made to /etc/ftpaccess was the "email" line - changed from root@localohst to my emai address.

Here's a funny thing, though: I made a backup copy of /etc/ftpaccess and replaced it with the one from /usr/share/doc/wu-ftpd-2.6.2/examples and I got the same exact error in my /var/log/messages file.

Is this info anything that can help you help me or is irrelevant?

I'll give the uninstall/reinstall a try and see what happens.

Thanks.

[jaffo]

Well, it looks like uninstalling and re-installing did the trick. Something must have been corrupted. Thanks for the help!

-Jaffo

[cowanrl]

I made a mistake there. Before I answered your post, I had answered one in another forum and his problem was with the ftpaccess file. It was on my mind. I should have read your error messages more closely. There is also an /etc/ftphosts file that controls what computers can access your ftp server, not the users. The users are controlled by ftpaccess.
If you end up with the same problem again, make sure there's no problem with the /etc/ftphosts file.

[jaffo]

Don't feel bad about possibly having given me wrong info - my current /etc/ftphosts file is essentially blank (minus comments) and it was that way before i uninstalled/reinstalled - so I don't think it was my problem.

Thanks again.

-Jaffo