Managing a user password for linux in puppet

Linux users have their passwords stored as hash in /etc/shadow file. Puppet passes the password supplied in the user type definition in the /etc/shadow file.

Generate your hash password using openssl command:

 #openssl passwd -1  
 #Enter your password here 
 Password: 
 Verifying - Password: 
 $1$HTQUGYUGYUGwsxQxCp3F/nGc4DCYM

The previous example generate this hash:
$1$HTQUGYUGYUGwsxQxCp3F/nGc4DCYM/

Add this hash password to your class as shown (do not forget the quotes)

user { 'test_user': 
  ensure   => present,
  password => '$1$HTQUGYUGYUGwsxQxCp3F/nGc4DCYM/',
}