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The root account must not be used for direct logins.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-11979 GEN001020 SV-40787r1_rule ECPA-1 Medium
Description
Direct login with the root account prevents individual user accountability. Acceptable non-routine uses of the root account for direct login are limited to emergency maintenance, the use of single-user mode for maintenance, and situations where individual administrator accounts are not available.
STIG Date
AIX 5.3 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2013-03-26

Details

Check Text ( C-39527r1_chk )
Check if the root is used for direct logins.

Procedure: # last root | grep -v reboot

If any direct login records for root exist, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-11240r3_fix)
Enforce policy requiring all root account access is attained by first logging into a user account and then becoming root (using su, for example).