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The /etc/hosts file must have mode 0644 or less permissive.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-22325 GEN001368 SV-26412r1_rule ECLP-1 Medium
Description
The /etc/hosts file (or equivalent) configures local host name to IP address mappings that typically take precedence over DNS resolution. If this file is maliciously modified, it could cause the failure or compromise of security functions requiring name resolution, which may include time synchronization, centralized authentication, and remote system logging.
STIG Date
AIX 5.3 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE 2014-10-03

Details

Check Text ( C-27494r1_chk )
Check the mode of the /etc/hosts file.

Procedure:
# ls -l /etc/hosts
If the file mode is more permissive than 0644, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-23599r1_fix)
Change the mode of the /etc/hosts file to 0644 or less permissive.

# chmod 0644 /etc/hosts