Existing users are unable to login via SSH

• Existing users are unable to login via SSH
• When using console, the configd.log indicates error in /etc/passwd.

> less mp-log configd.log
------------------
useradd: existing lock file /etc/passwd.lock with an invalid PID 'root:!'
useradd: cannot lock /etc/passwd; try again later.
usermod: user '________' does not exist

• Next-Gen Firewalls or Panorama
• PAN-OS 10.x and 11.x

System lock files in /etc directory blocking authentication.

1. A new CLI command has been introduced under PAN-230893 listed below.

> delete authentication system-lock-files

2. The command is available in the PAN-OS versions 10.1.16, 10.2.11, 11.0.7, 11.1.5, 11.2.4, 11.1.4-h6, 12.1.0 and higher.
3. Run the command to delete all the lock files.
4. If the issue is not resolved after running the command, open a support case.