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

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-798	GEN001380	SV-798r7_rule	ECLP-1	Medium

Description
If the passwd file is writable by a group-owner or the world, the risk of passwd file compromise is increased. The passwd file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information.

STIG	Date
Draft AIX Security Technical Implementation Guide	2011-08-17

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-952r3_fix)
Change the mode of the passwd file to 0644. Procedure: # chmod 0644 /etc/passwd Document all changes.