OpenSSH server configured with "AuthenticationMethods any" option throws error

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • When configuring multi-factor authentication in OpenSSH, using any with the option AuthenticationMethods throws the following error:
Aug 21 16:20:46 host0 sshd[9419]: error: Unknown authentication method "any" in list
Aug 21 16:20:46 host0 sshd[9419]: Authentication methods list "any" contains disabled method, skipping
Aug 21 16:20:46 host0 sshd[9419]: error: No AuthenticationMethods left after eliminating disabled methods
Aug 21 16:20:46 host0 sshd[9419]: error: Unknown authentication method "any" in list [preauth]
Aug 21 16:20:46 host0 sshd[9419]: Authentication methods list "any" contains disabled method, skipping [preauth]
Aug 21 16:20:46 host0 sshd[9419]: error: No AuthenticationMethods left after eliminating disabled methods [preauth]
Aug 21 16:20:46 host0 sshd[9419]: Disconnecting: no authentication methods enabled [preauth]
  • This article discusses different syntax used in AuthenticationMethods in /etc/ssh/sshd_config and how they change the ordering and inclusion/exclusion of methods during multi-factor authentication in OpenSSH.

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.x
  • OpenSSH 7.x and prior versions.

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