[pkg-cryptsetup-devel] Bug#968295: Resolution

[Andrew]

Downloaded Debian LiveCD image (debian-10.5.0-amd64-xfce-CD-1.iso from 
https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/amd64/iso-cd/)

Boot to Debian LiveCD -> (Advanced Mode) -> Graphical Rescue Mode

Skip network setup (I did not have drivers for my hardware, we'll be 
copying the files on USB stick needed to fix) -> proceed to mount 
partitions providing the LVM Passphrase for Full Disk Encryption.

Select the "acerv3-575t-vg/root" to mount a shell too, ensure to select 
"yes" to mount the "/boot" partition.

Successfully logged into my root file system /dev/acerv3-575t-vg/root 
via live CD in rescue mode & mounted the seperate /boot partition, am 
sitting on a shell with /dev/acerv3-575t-vg/root mounted on "/"



#checking packages

dpkg -l cryptsetup lvm2

#result:
#dpkg-query: error: failed to open package info file 
'/var/lib/dpkg/status' for reading: no such file or directory

#(my /var /tmp /home are seperate LV of the VG acerv3-575t-vg)

#had to issue "mount -a" to mount the other LV's (/var /tmp /home).


#now doing
dpkg -l cryptsetup lvm2
#returns results:
# rc cryptsetup 2:2.1.0-5+deb10u2 all
# ii lvm2 2.03.02-3 amd64

#(ii indicator for lvm2 indicates its <OK> rc indicator for cryptsetup 
indicates <ISSUES>!
#must seek to reinstall cyptsetup, but also cryptsetup-initramfs (both 
packages) since issue is on boot as well! with intrafamfs prompt at boot 
time.

#ok; so you're pulling the metapackage that pulls cryptsetup-initramfs
#the latter is what you need for initramfs support; if you missed it, no 
chances of booting!
#(the separation across packages is $debian_version-dependent, hence my 
suggesting install cryptsetup, which pulls what is required)

#get full URL to download package files from official source

apt-get download --print-uris cryptsetup
apt-get download --print-uris cryptsetup-initramfs

#above retrives (server, path, filename, including the relevant version 
and architecture, among other things)

apt-get -f install

#returns results:  0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 46 not 
upgraded

#Ready to move on to reinstall cryptsetup & cryptsetup-initramfs (both 
are necessary)
#copied the *.deb files to usb stick formatted as FAT, plugged it in 
then did "lsblk" to view its assignment (/dev/sdb1) and mounted "mount 
/dev/sdb1 /media/usb"

cd /media/usb
dpkg -i cryptsetup-initramfs_2.1.0-5+deb10u2_all.deb 
cryptsetup_2.1.0-5+deb10u2_all.deb
#results,
#dpkg: warning: 'start-stop-daemon' not found in PATH or not executable
#dpkg: error: 1 expected program not found in PATH or not executable

#echo $PATH    =    /sbin:/usr/sbin:/bin:/usr/bin
#checking dpkg
dpkg -V dpkg
#returns errors could not find 'start-stop-daemon'

#(issue) /sbin/ is missing file 'start-stop-daemon' obtained it with 
some online help and copied it with 755 permission, rebooted live CD


#After reboot, retried install cryptsetup and cryptsetup-initramfs

#after copying start-stop-daemon, and fixing its permission and reboot 
liveCD
dpkg -V dpkg
#returns to prompt, no error this time.

#re-attempt install again
dpkg -i cryptsetup-initramfs_2.1.0-5+deb10u2_all.deb 
cryptsetup_2.1.0-5+deb10u2_all.deb

#this time executed without failures (generating /boot/initrd.img-* ... )

#next
lsinitramfs /boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-9-amd64|grep cryptsetup

#returns valid result:
# /usr/lib/cryptsetup   /usr/lib/cryptsetup/askpass   /functions 
/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libcryptsetup.so.12 *.so.12.4.0 and 
usr/sbin/cryptsetup

then ran 'update-initramfs -u -k a' then 'update-grub'

Rebooted after all this and all was well, the prompt for passphrase 
returned and was able to login, was told would not be a bad idea to 
install and run debsums so I took that advice and found some other items 
which FAILED which will pursue necessary fixing now...

MAJOR credit goes to the team at https://debamax.com/ as their 
assistance has provided me the knowledge and details required for above 
fixes and to find out that /sbin/start-stop-daemon was missing and 
causing my inability to reinstall or query the installation packages to 
begin with to check their status. Appreciate their help & patience with 
me, I am forever grateful!

The issue is resolved!