Index: pynslcd/shadow.py
===================================================================
--- pynslcd/shadow.py	(revision 1749)
+++ pynslcd/shadow.py	(arbetskopia)
@@ -104,7 +104,10 @@
     action = constants.NSLCD_ACTION_SHADOW_BYNAME
 
     def read_parameters(self, fp):
-        return dict(uid=fp.read_string())
+        name = fp.read_string()
+        if name != '*':
+            common.validate_name(name)
+            return dict(uid=name)
 
 
 class ShadowAllRequest(ShadowRequest):
Index: pynslcd/group.py
===================================================================
--- pynslcd/group.py	(revision 1749)
+++ pynslcd/group.py	(arbetskopia)
@@ -126,8 +126,9 @@
 
     def read_parameters(self, fp):
         name = fp.read_string()
-        common.validate_name(name)
-        return dict(cn=name)
+        if name != '*':
+            common.validate_name(name)
+            return dict(cn=name)
 
 
 class GroupByGidRequest(GroupRequest):
Index: pynslcd/passwd.py
===================================================================
--- pynslcd/passwd.py	(revision 1749)
+++ pynslcd/passwd.py	(arbetskopia)
@@ -84,8 +84,9 @@
 
     def read_parameters(self, fp):
         name = fp.read_string()
-        common.validate_name(name)
-        return dict(uid=name)
+        if name != '*':
+            common.validate_name(name)
+            return dict(uid=name)
 
 
 class PasswdByUidRequest(PasswdRequest):