Why root user is unable to change a password of normal user's ?

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • Why root user is unable to change a password of normal user's ?

  • While changing password of normal user as root user, passwd command gives  following error.

    [root@example ~]# su - mysql
-bash-4.1$ passwd
Changing password for user mysql.
Changing password for mysql.
(current) UNIX password:
passwd: Authentication token manipulation error

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
  • /etc/shadow

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