To be able to do several CLI configurations administrator (root) account must be activated. By default EdgeRouter has this account disabled. It seems that even if is activated a firmware upgrade will revert it to the default configuration (disabled).
To activate the root account follow the tutorial:
EdgeMAX – What is the root account password?
Overview The password on the root account is unset. This is a security precaution as it prevents the root account from being used for password based logins (SSH, webUI, console). From standard admin accounts, you can use sudo to elevate privileges or invoke a root shell. Elevated Command: sudo command For a root shell: sudo -i Setting the root password can have benefits as well so long you take precautions to set a complex password which is stored safely. Setting it provides you a secondary path into the system in the event your administration account(s) are locked out or mangled. To set the root password: set system login user root authentication plaintext-password "passwordGoesHere"