How to handle special characters in /etc/sudoers file ?

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • /etc/sudoers file does not accept special characters such as: !, =, :, ,, (, ), \ in /etc/sudoers configuration file.

  • For example, below /etc/sudoers configuration entry gives a syntax error while modifying it with visudo

    admin  ALL=(ALL)  NOPASSWD: /path/to/app IsAlive module\:All instance:iv1

  • Expected error in case of special character usage without escape.

    visudo
>>> /etc/sudoers: syntax error near line 114 <<<
What now? 
Options are:
  (e)dit sudoers file again
  e(x)it without saving changes to sudoers file
  (Q)uit and save changes to sudoers file (DANGER!)

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): All supported versions.

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