Interrupting the boot process to gain access (rd.break, chroot /sysroot, passwd, touch /.autorelabel)

If the root password is lost, rescue and emergency modes do not help because both ask for it. RHEL documents a recovery procedure that stops the boot inside the initramfs, before systemd on the real system takes over and before any password is requested. It is a legitimate administrator technique and a classic RHCSA task. It also shows why physical or console access to a server must be protected: anyone with console access can do the same, which is why data centres restrict console access and why a GRUB password or disk encryption can be used to block it.