ssh localhost: Permission denied (publickey) Ubuntu on WSL2

Previously asked this question on askubuntu.com but I thought this is rather a general linux question so I'm asking here again: I'm having trouble "sshing" to localhost and getting a permission denied. I have tried everything from root or using sudo as well. Ran the following: ssh-keygen -t rsa -P '' -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys cat /root/.ssh/id_rsa.pub >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys chmod 0600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys ssh localhost As the root user I have also done the following in case I use either user and the directories get mixed up: cat /root/.ssh/id_rsa.pub >> /root/.ssh/authorized_keys cat /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa.pub >> /root/.ssh/authorized_keys First time was because the service was not running. So I did sudo service ssh start
I have also disabled the ufw for the test. sudo ufw disable
read/write permissions on the key files are drwx------ 2 shervleradvm shervleradvm 4096 Nov 21 23:15 . drwxr-xr-x 6 shervleradvm shervleradvm 4096 Nov 21 23:25 .. -rw-r----- 1 shervleradvm shervleradvm 1146 Nov 21 23:23 authorized_keys -r-------- 1 root shervleradvm 2610 Nov 18 13:17 id_rsa -r-------- 1 shervleradvm shervleradvm 577 Nov 18 13:17 id_rsa.pub -rw-r--r-- 1 shervleradvm shervleradvm 444 Nov 18 15:05 known_hosts sshd_config file was missing the following so I added and tested each and combinations of: - AllowUsers: added shervleradvm - AuthorizedKeysFile: added ~/.ssh/authorized_keys /root/.ssh/authorized_keys I then changed my config file a little after reading https://askubuntu.com/questions/783843/please-explain-the-complete-steps-involved-in-the-installation-of-openssh-server/783844#783844 so now it looks like: > # $OpenBSD: sshd_config,v 1.103 2018/04/09 20:41:22 tj Exp $ > > # This is the sshd server system-wide configuration file. See > # sshd_config(5) for more information. > > # This sshd was compiled with PATH=/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin > > # The strategy used for options in the default sshd_config shipped with > # OpenSSH is to specify options with their default value where > # possible, but leave them commented. Uncommented options override the > # default value. > > Include /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/*.conf > > #Port 22 > #AddressFamily any > #ListenAddress 0.0.0.0 > #ListenAddress :: > > #HostKey /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key > #HostKey /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key > #HostKey /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key > > # Ciphers and keying > #RekeyLimit default none > > # Logging > #SyslogFacility AUTH > ########################################## EDITED > LogLevel VERBOSE > ################################################## > > # Authentication: > ############################################################## NEW STUFF ############ > AllowUsers shervleradvm root > ##################################################################################### > > > #LoginGraceTime 2m > ########################################### EDITED > PermitRootLogin yes > ################################################## > #StrictModes yes > #MaxAuthTries 6 > #MaxSessions 10 > > PubkeyAuthentication yes > > # Expect .ssh/authorized_keys2 to be disregarded by default in future. > ########################################################################### EDITED > AuthorizedKeysFile ~/.ssh/authorized_keys /root/.ssh/authorized_keys > > #AuthorizedPrincipalsFile none > > #AuthorizedKeysCommand none > #AuthorizedKeysCommandUser nobody > > # For this to work you will also need host keys in /etc/ssh/ssh_known_hosts > #HostbasedAuthentication no > # Change to yes if you don't trust ~/.ssh/known_hosts for > # HostbasedAuthentication > #IgnoreUserKnownHosts no > # Don't read the user's ~/.rhosts and ~/.shosts files > #IgnoreRhosts yes > > # To disable tunneled clear text passwords, change to no here! > PasswordAuthentication no > #PermitEmptyPasswords no > > # Change to yes to enable challenge-response passwords (beware issues with > # some PAM modules and threads) > ChallengeResponseAuthentication no > > # Kerberos options > #KerberosAuthentication no > #KerberosOrLocalPasswd yes > #KerberosTicketCleanup yes > #KerberosGetAFSToken no > > # GSSAPI options > #GSSAPIAuthentication no > #GSSAPICleanupCredentials yes > #GSSAPIStrictAcceptorCheck yes > #GSSAPIKeyExchange no > > # Set this to 'yes' to enable PAM authentication, account processing, > # and session processing. If this is enabled, PAM authentication will > # be allowed through the ChallengeResponseAuthentication and > # PasswordAuthentication. Depending on your PAM configuration, > # PAM authentication via ChallengeResponseAuthentication may bypass > # the setting of "PermitRootLogin without-password". > # If you just want the PAM account and session checks to run without > # PAM authentication, then enable this but set PasswordAuthentication > # and ChallengeResponseAuthentication to 'no'. > UsePAM yes > > #AllowAgentForwarding yes > ############################################ EDITED > AllowTcpForwarding no > #################################################### > #GatewayPorts no > ############################################ EDITED > X11Forwarding no > #################################################### > #X11DisplayOffset 10 > #X11UseLocalhost yes > #PermitTTY yes > PrintMotd no > #PrintLastLog yes > #TCPKeepAlive yes > #PermitUserEnvironment no > #Compression delayed > #ClientAliveInterval 0 > #ClientAliveCountMax 3 > #UseDNS no > #PidFile /var/run/sshd.pid > #MaxStartups 10:30:100 > #PermitTunnel no > #ChrootDirectory none > #VersionAddendum none > > # no default banner path > ########################################## EDITED > Banner /etc/issue.net > ##################################################### > > # Allow client to pass locale environment variables > AcceptEnv LANG LC_* > > # override default of no subsystems > Subsystem sftp /usr/lib/openssh/sftp-server > > # Example of overriding settings on a per-user basis > #Match User anoncvs > # X11Forwarding no > # AllowTcpForwarding no > # PermitTTY no > # ForceCommand cvs server I'm not sure what else I can try I've been stuck on this for days and I have read all the other questions regarding ssh. The verbose output is: OpenSSH_8.2p1 Ubuntu-4ubuntu0.1, OpenSSL 1.1.1f 31 Mar 2020 debug1: Reading configuration data /etc/ssh/ssh_config debug1: /etc/ssh/ssh_config line 19: include /etc/ssh/ssh_config.d/*.conf matched no files debug1: /etc/ssh/ssh_config line 21: Applying options for * debug1: Connecting to localhost [127.0.0.1] port 22. debug1: Connection established. debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa type 0 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519 type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss-cert type -1 debug1: Local version string SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_8.2p1 Ubuntu-4ubuntu0.1 debug1: Remote protocol version 2.0, remote software version OpenSSH_8.2p1 Ubuntu-4ubuntu0.1 debug1: match: OpenSSH_8.2p1 Ubuntu-4ubuntu0.1 pat OpenSSH* compat 0x04000000 debug1: Authenticating to localhost:22 as 'shervleradvm' debug1: SSH2_MSG_KEXINIT sent debug1: SSH2_MSG_KEXINIT received debug1: kex: algorithm: curve25519-sha256 debug1: kex: host key algorithm: ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 debug1: kex: server->client cipher: chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com MAC: compression: none debug1: kex: client->server cipher: chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com MAC: compression: none debug1: expecting SSH2_MSG_KEX_ECDH_REPLY debug1: Server host key: ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 SHA256:RhXPmgq8gMMrSRv7+VlpLb84pRnXi2vDiqdg0EfocK0 debug1: Host 'localhost' is known and matches the ECDSA host key. debug1: Found key in /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/known_hosts:1 debug1: rekey out after 134217728 blocks debug1: SSH2_MSG_NEWKEYS sent debug1: expecting SSH2_MSG_NEWKEYS debug1: SSH2_MSG_NEWKEYS received debug1: rekey in after 134217728 blocks debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa RSA SHA256:WfkneDotRaioAvWLHi+4L0CpHg+EZ8cWMPPGbx/jUXQ debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519 debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss debug1: SSH2_MSG_EXT_INFO received debug1: kex_input_ext_info: server-sig-algs= debug1: SSH2_MSG_SERVICE_ACCEPT received *************************************************************************** SOME BANNER I HAVE PUT This computer system is the private property of its owner, whether individual, corporate or government. It is for authorized use only. Users (authorized or unauthorized) have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy. Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to your employer, to authorized site, government, and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of government agencies, both domestic and foreign. By using this system, the user consents to such interception, monitoring, recording, copying, auditing, inspection, and disclosure at the discretion of such personnel or officials. Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in civil and criminal penalties and administrative or disciplinary action, as appropriate. By continuing to use this system you indicate your awareness of and consent to these terms and conditions of use. LOG OFF IMMEDIATELY if you do not agree to the conditions stated in this warning. **************************************************************************** debug1: Authentications that can continue: publickey debug1: Next authentication method: publickey debug1: Offering public key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa RSA SHA256:WfkneDotRaioAvWLHi+4L0CpHg+EZ8cWMPPGbx/jUXQ debug1: Authentications that can continue: publickey debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519 debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss debug1: No more authentication methods to try. shervleradvm@localhost: Permission denied (publickey). **UPDATE 1**: the syslog in /var/log/syslog only says: Nov 20 01:05:54 ShervLeRad kernel: [35460.503034] WSL2: Performing memory compaction. Nov 20 01:06:55 ShervLeRad kernel: [35521.519400] WSL2: Performing memory compaction. Nov 20 01:07:56 ShervLeRad kernel: [35582.535366] WSL2: Performing memory compaction. Nov 20 01:08:57 ShervLeRad kernel: [35643.552061] WSL2: Performing memory compaction. Nov 20 01:09:58 ShervLeRad kernel: [35704.567029] WSL2: Performing memory compaction. Nov 20 01:10:59 ShervLeRad kernel: [35765.582427] WSL2: Performing memory compaction. Nov 20 01:12:00 ShervLeRad kernel: [35826.597374] WSL2: Performing memory compaction. the auth.log in /var/log/auth.log says: Nov 19 18:48:34 ShervLeRad sudo: shervleradvm : TTY=pts/0 ; PWD=/etc/ssh ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/ssh localhost Nov 19 18:48:34 ShervLeRad sudo: pam_unix(sudo:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0) Nov 19 18:48:34 ShervLeRad sshd: Connection closed by authenticating user root 127.0.0.1 port 39490 [preauth] Nov 19 18:48:34 ShervLeRad sudo: pam_unix(sudo:session): session closed for user root Nov 19 18:48:37 ShervLeRad sudo: shervleradvm : TTY=pts/0 ; PWD=/etc/ssh ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/vim sshd_config Nov 19 18:48:37 ShervLeRad sudo: pam_unix(sudo:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0) Nov 19 18:48:51 ShervLeRad sudo: pam_unix(sudo:session): session closed for user root **UPDATE 2**: I ran ssh with -vvv and the output is: OpenSSH_8.2p1 Ubuntu-4ubuntu0.1, OpenSSL 1.1.1f 31 Mar 2020 debug1: Reading configuration data /etc/ssh/ssh_config debug1: /etc/ssh/ssh_config line 19: include /etc/ssh/ssh_config.d/*.conf matched no files debug1: /etc/ssh/ssh_config line 21: Applying options for * debug2: resolving "localhost" port 22 debug2: ssh_connect_direct debug1: Connecting to localhost [127.0.0.1] port 22. debug1: Connection established. debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa type 0 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519 type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk-cert type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss type -1 debug1: identity file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss-cert type -1 debug1: Local version string SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_8.2p1 Ubuntu-4ubuntu0.1 debug1: Remote protocol version 2.0, remote software version OpenSSH_8.2p1 Ubuntu-4ubuntu0.1 debug1: match: OpenSSH_8.2p1 Ubuntu-4ubuntu0.1 pat OpenSSH* compat 0x04000000 debug2: fd 3 setting O_NONBLOCK debug1: Authenticating to localhost:22 as 'shervleradvm' debug3: hostkeys_foreach: reading file "/home/shervleradvm/.ssh/known_hosts" debug3: record_hostkey: found key type ECDSA in file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/known_hosts:1 debug3: load_hostkeys: loaded 1 keys from localhost debug3: order_hostkeyalgs: prefer hostkeyalgs: ecdsa-sha2-nistp256-cert-v01@openssh.com,ecdsa-sha2-nistp384-cert-v01@openssh.com,ecdsa-sha2-nistp521-cert-v01@openssh.com,ecdsa-sha2-nistp256,ecdsa-sha2-nistp384,ecdsa-sha2-nistp521 debug3: send packet: type 20 debug1: SSH2_MSG_KEXINIT sent debug3: receive packet: type 20 debug1: SSH2_MSG_KEXINIT received debug2: local client KEXINIT proposal debug2: KEX algorithms: curve25519-sha256,curve25519-sha256@libssh.org,ecdh-sha2-nistp256,ecdh-sha2-nistp384,ecdh-sha2-nistp521,diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha256,diffie-hellman-group16-sha512,diffie-hellman-group18-sha512,diffie-hellman-group14-sha256,ext-info-c debug2: host key algorithms: ecdsa-sha2-nistp256-cert-v01@openssh.com,ecdsa-sha2-nistp384-cert-v01@openssh.com,ecdsa-sha2-nistp521-cert-v01@openssh.com,ecdsa-sha2-nistp256,ecdsa-sha2-nistp384,ecdsa-sha2-nistp521,sk-ecdsa-sha2-nistp256-cert-v01@openssh.com,ssh-ed25519-cert-v01@openssh.com,sk-ssh-ed25519-cert-v01@openssh.com,rsa-sha2-512-cert-v01@openssh.com,rsa-sha2-256-cert-v01@openssh.com,ssh-rsa-cert-v01@openssh.com,sk-ecdsa-sha2-nistp256@openssh.com,ssh-ed25519,sk-ssh-ed25519@openssh.com,rsa-sha2-512,rsa-sha2-256,ssh-rsa debug2: ciphers ctos: chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com,aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-gcm@openssh.com,aes256-gcm@openssh.com debug2: ciphers stoc: chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com,aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-gcm@openssh.com,aes256-gcm@openssh.com debug2: MACs ctos: umac-64-etm@openssh.com,umac-128-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-512-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha1-etm@openssh.com,umac-64@openssh.com,umac-128@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256,hmac-sha2-512,hmac-sha1 debug2: MACs stoc: umac-64-etm@openssh.com,umac-128-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-512-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha1-etm@openssh.com,umac-64@openssh.com,umac-128@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256,hmac-sha2-512,hmac-sha1 debug2: compression ctos: none,zlib@openssh.com,zlib debug2: compression stoc: none,zlib@openssh.com,zlib debug2: languages ctos: debug2: languages stoc: debug2: first_kex_follows 0 debug2: reserved 0 debug2: peer server KEXINIT proposal debug2: KEX algorithms: curve25519-sha256,curve25519-sha256@libssh.org,ecdh-sha2-nistp256,ecdh-sha2-nistp384,ecdh-sha2-nistp521,diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha256,diffie-hellman-group16-sha512,diffie-hellman-group18-sha512,diffie-hellman-group14-sha256 debug2: host key algorithms: rsa-sha2-512,rsa-sha2-256,ssh-rsa,ecdsa-sha2-nistp256,ssh-ed25519 debug2: ciphers ctos: chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com,aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-gcm@openssh.com,aes256-gcm@openssh.com debug2: ciphers stoc: chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com,aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,aes128-gcm@openssh.com,aes256-gcm@openssh.com debug2: MACs ctos: umac-64-etm@openssh.com,umac-128-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-512-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha1-etm@openssh.com,umac-64@openssh.com,umac-128@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256,hmac-sha2-512,hmac-sha1 debug2: MACs stoc: umac-64-etm@openssh.com,umac-128-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-512-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha1-etm@openssh.com,umac-64@openssh.com,umac-128@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256,hmac-sha2-512,hmac-sha1 debug2: compression ctos: none,zlib@openssh.com debug2: compression stoc: none,zlib@openssh.com debug2: languages ctos: debug2: languages stoc: debug2: first_kex_follows 0 debug2: reserved 0 debug1: kex: algorithm: curve25519-sha256 debug1: kex: host key algorithm: ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 debug1: kex: server->client cipher: chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com MAC: compression: none debug1: kex: client->server cipher: chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com MAC: compression: none debug3: send packet: type 30 debug1: expecting SSH2_MSG_KEX_ECDH_REPLY debug3: receive packet: type 31 debug1: Server host key: ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 SHA256:RhXPmgq8gMMrSRv7+VlpLb84pRnXi2vDiqdg0EfocK0 debug3: hostkeys_foreach: reading file "/home/shervleradvm/.ssh/known_hosts" debug3: record_hostkey: found key type ECDSA in file /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/known_hosts:1 debug3: load_hostkeys: loaded 1 keys from localhost debug1: Host 'localhost' is known and matches the ECDSA host key. debug1: Found key in /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/known_hosts:1 debug3: send packet: type 21 debug2: set_newkeys: mode 1 debug1: rekey out after 134217728 blocks debug1: SSH2_MSG_NEWKEYS sent debug1: expecting SSH2_MSG_NEWKEYS debug3: receive packet: type 21 debug1: SSH2_MSG_NEWKEYS received debug2: set_newkeys: mode 0 debug1: rekey in after 134217728 blocks debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa RSA SHA256:WfkneDotRaioAvWLHi+4L0CpHg+EZ8cWMPPGbx/jUXQ debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519 debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk debug1: Will attempt key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss debug2: pubkey_prepare: done debug3: send packet: type 5 debug3: receive packet: type 7 debug1: SSH2_MSG_EXT_INFO received debug1: kex_input_ext_info: server-sig-algs= debug3: receive packet: type 6 debug2: service_accept: ssh-userauth debug1: SSH2_MSG_SERVICE_ACCEPT received debug3: send packet: type 50 debug3: receive packet: type 53 debug3: input_userauth_banner *************************************************************************** NOTICE TO USERS This computer system is the private property of its owner, whether individual, corporate or government. It is for authorized use only. Users (authorized or unauthorized) have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy. Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to your employer, to authorized site, government, and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of government agencies, both domestic and foreign. By using this system, the user consents to such interception, monitoring, recording, copying, auditing, inspection, and disclosure at the discretion of such personnel or officials. Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in civil and criminal penalties and administrative or disciplinary action, as appropriate. By continuing to use this system you indicate your awareness of and consent to these terms and conditions of use. LOG OFF IMMEDIATELY if you do not agree to the conditions stated in this warning. **************************************************************************** debug3: receive packet: type 51 debug1: Authentications that can continue: publickey debug3: start over, passed a different list publickey debug3: preferred gssapi-with-mic,publickey,keyboard-interactive,password debug3: authmethod_lookup publickey debug3: remaining preferred: keyboard-interactive,password debug3: authmethod_is_enabled publickey debug1: Next authentication method: publickey debug1: Offering public key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_rsa RSA SHA256:WfkneDotRaioAvWLHi+4L0CpHg+EZ8cWMPPGbx/jUXQ debug3: send packet: type 50 debug2: we sent a publickey packet, wait for reply debug3: receive packet: type 51 debug1: Authentications that can continue: publickey debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa debug3: no such identity: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_dsa: No such file or directory debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa debug3: no such identity: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa: No such file or directory debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk debug3: no such identity: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ecdsa_sk: No such file or directory debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519 debug3: no such identity: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519: No such file or directory debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk debug3: no such identity: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_ed25519_sk: No such file or directory debug1: Trying private key: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss debug3: no such identity: /home/shervleradvm/.ssh/id_xmss: No such file or directory debug2: we did not send a packet, disable method debug1: No more authentication methods to try. shervleradvm@localhost: Permission denied (publickey). **UPDATE 3**: I just tried ssh -i id_rsa localhost from ~/.ssh dir of shervleradvm user to try defining private_key to use. That didn't work. So I did touch config && vim config then I defined the private key for the localhost: Host localhost HostName localhost User shervleradvm IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_rsa and then ran ssh localhost. The error presists. **UPDATE 4**: I changed the owner of the private key to shervleradvm and gave the following permissions: -rw------- 1 shervleradvm shervleradvm 2610 Nov 18 13:17 id_rsa -r-------- 1 shervleradvm shervleradvm 577 Nov 18 13:17 id_rsa.pub didn't help.