The per user PAM configuration file (/etc/pam_user.conf) must not be used to override the system-wide PAM configuration file (/etc/pam.conf) unless it is required.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-40483	GEN000000-HPUX0400	SV-52472r1_rule	ECSC-1	Medium

Description
The per user PAM configuration file (/etc/pam_user.conf) allows individual users to be assigned options that differ from those of the general computing community. This file is optional and should only be used if PAM applications are required to operate differently for specific users, i.e., to isolate the administrative user accounts.

STIG	Date
HP-UX 11.23 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2015-06-12

Details

Check Text ( C-47023r1_chk )
If the system is configured for Trusted Mode, this check is not applicable. For SMSE: Check the system for the existence of the /etc/pam_user.conf file. # ls -lL /etc/pam_user.conf If the file does not exist, this is a finding. If the file exists, examine the file. # cat /etc/pam_user.conf Attempt to determine the reason (ask the SA for an explanation) for options being passed to the PAM service modules for the listed users. If the SA cannot provide an explanation for the listed users and PAM module options, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-47023r1_chk )

If the system is configured for Trusted Mode, this check is not applicable.

For SMSE:
Check the system for the existence of the /etc/pam_user.conf file.
# ls -lL /etc/pam_user.conf

If the file does not exist, this is a finding.

If the file exists, examine the file.
# cat /etc/pam_user.conf

Attempt to determine the reason (ask the SA for an explanation) for options being passed to the PAM service modules for the listed users.

If the SA cannot provide an explanation for the listed users and PAM module options, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-45432r1_fix)
If the system is operating in Trusted Mode, no fix is required. For SMSE: If the SA cannot provide a reasonable explanation for user entries in the /etc/pam_user.conf file, take one or more of the following actions: remove the file, remove/comment all user entries, remove/comment individual user entries. Document all changes.