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kdestroy

securityLinux/Unix/macOS

The kdestroy command is one of the most frequently used commands in Linux/Unix-like operating systems. kdestroy Destroy Kerberos tickets

See Examples View Syntax

Quick Reference

Command Name:

kdestroy

Category:

security

Platform:

Linux/Unix/macOS

Basic Usage:

kdestroy [options] [arguments]

Common Use Cases

Syntax

kdestroy [-A] [-q] [-c cache_name] [-p principal_name]

Options

Option	Description
`-A, --all`	Destroy all caches and credentials
`-q, --quiet`	Quiet mode, suppress status messages
`-c, --cache=cache_name`	Use specified credential cache
`-p, --principal=principal_name`	Destroy specified principal's tickets
`--version`	Display version information and exit
`--help`	Display help message and exit

Examples

How to Use These Examples

The examples below show common ways to use the kdestroy command. Try them in your terminal to see the results. You can copy any example by clicking on the code block.

# Basic Examples Basic

kdestroy

Destroy the default ticket cache.

kdestroy -A

Destroy all ticket caches.

# Advanced Examples Advanced

kdestroy -c /tmp/krb5cc_1000_temp Destroy a specific ticket cache. kdestroy -p user@EXAMPLE.COM Destroy tickets for a specific principal. kdestroy -q Destroy tickets quietly (no output). kdestroy -c KEYRING:persistent:1000 Destroy a specific keyring cache.

Try It Yourself

Practice makes perfect! The best way to learn is by trying these examples on your own system with real files.

Understanding Syntax

Pay attention to the syntax coloring: commands, options, and file paths are highlighted differently.

Notes

kdestroy is a command-line utility that's part of the Kerberos authentication system. Its primary function is to remove (destroy) Kerberos ticket-granting tickets and service tickets from the user's credential cache. This is an important security measure, especially when working on shared systems or when a user has finished a session requiring Kerberos authentication. Key aspects of kdestroy: 1. Security Management: kdestroy is crucial for security as it removes authentication credentials that might otherwise remain valid for hours or days, potentially allowing unauthorized access if a user leaves their session unattended. 2. Credential Cache Control: The command can target specific credential caches or principals, giving users fine-grained control over which authentication tickets are destroyed. 3. Multiple Cache Support: With the -A option, kdestroy can remove tickets from all caches, which is useful in environments where a user might have multiple credential caches for different realms or purposes. 4. Integration with Kerberos Workflow: kdestroy is typically used as part of a standard Kerberos authentication workflow: kinit to obtain tickets, use Kerberos-enabled services, and then kdestroy to remove tickets when finished. 5. Silent Operation: The -q option allows kdestroy to run silently, making it suitable for inclusion in scripts or logout procedures without producing unnecessary output. 6. Different Storage Types: kdestroy can handle various credential cache storage types, including file-based caches and kernel keyrings, accommodating different system configurations. Common use cases for kdestroy include: - Ending a Kerberos session manually before logging out - Automated inclusion in logout scripts to ensure credentials are destroyed - Clearing tickets before switching to a different Kerberos principal - Security procedures requiring regular credential rotation - Clearing tickets when moving between different security contexts - Troubleshooting authentication issues by removing potentially problematic tickets kdestroy is available on systems that use Kerberos for authentication, including most Unix-like operating systems (Linux, macOS, BSD) with Kerberos implementations such as MIT Kerberos or Heimdal. It's commonly used in enterprise environments, educational institutions, and other organizations that employ Kerberos for centralized authentication services.

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Use Cases

Learn By Doing

The best way to learn Linux commands is by practicing. Try out these examples in your terminal to build muscle memory and understand how the kdestroy command works in different scenarios.

See Examples Try Lab Exercises

$ kdestroy

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