mysql_install_db prints into the system log (/var/log/messages) the plaintext initial administrative passwords. Ideally it should obscure those strings. e.g.: Nov 3 11:17:48 tomaluk mysql_install_db: /usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root password 'new-password' Nov 3 11:17:48 tomaluk mysql_install_db: /usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root -h tomaluk.toronto.redhat.com password 'new-password' should be something like: Nov 3 11:17:48 tomaluk mysql_install_db: /usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root password '(REDACTED)' Nov 3 11:17:48 tomaluk mysql_install_db: /usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root -h tomaluk.toronto.redhat.com password '(REDACTED)'
Sorry, screwed up misreading the rest of the log. This is just sample text being printed by the installation scripts, not actually being executed.