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


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-798 GEN001380 SV-798r2_rule ECLP-1 Medium
Description
If the password file is writable by a group owner or the world, the risk of password file compromise is increased. The password file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information.
STIG Date
AIX 5.3 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE 2014-10-03

Details

Check Text ( C-8016r2_chk )
Check the mode of the /etc/passwd file.

Procedure:
# ls -lL /etc/passwd

If /etc/passwd has a mode more permissive than 0644, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-952r2_fix)
Change the mode of the passwd file to 0644.

Procedure:
# chmod 0644 /etc/passwd

Document all changes.