All AIX shells referenced in passwd file must be listed in /etc/shells file, except any shells specified for the purpose of preventing logins.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-215288	AIX7-00-002103	SV-215288r508663_rule		Medium

Description
The /etc/shells file lists approved default shells. It helps provide layered defense to the security approach by ensuring users cannot change their default shell to an unauthorized unsecure shell.

STIG	Date
IBM AIX 7.x Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-06-06

Details

Check Text ( C-16486r294315_chk )
Confirm the login shells referenced in the "/etc/passwd" file are listed in the "/etc/security/login.cfg" file's "shells =variable" in the usw stanza by running commands: # more /etc/security/login.cfg \| grep shells \| grep -v '*' shells = /bin/sh,/bin/bsh,/bin/csh,/bin/ksh,/bin/tsh,/bin/ksh93,/usr/bin/sh,/usr/bin/bsh,/usr/bin/csh,/usr/bin/ksh,/usr/bin/tsh # more /etc/shells /bin/csh /bin/ksh /bin/psh /bin/tsh /bin/bsh /usr/bin/csh /usr/bin/ksh /usr/bin/psh /usr/bin/tsh /usr/bin/bsh The "/usr/bin/false", "/bin/false", "/dev/null", "/sbin/nologin" (and equivalents), and "sdshell" will be considered valid shells for use in the "/etc/passwd" file, but will not be listed in the shells stanza. If a shell referenced in "/etc/passwd" is not listed in the shells stanza, excluding the above mentioned shells, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-16486r294315_chk )

Confirm the login shells referenced in the "/etc/passwd" file are listed in the "/etc/security/login.cfg" file's "shells =variable" in the usw stanza by running commands:

# more /etc/security/login.cfg | grep shells | grep -v '*'
shells = /bin/sh,/bin/bsh,/bin/csh,/bin/ksh,/bin/tsh,/bin/ksh93,/usr/bin/sh,/usr/bin/bsh,/usr/bin/csh,/usr/bin/ksh,/usr/bin/tsh

# more /etc/shells
/bin/csh
/bin/ksh
/bin/psh
/bin/tsh
/bin/bsh
/usr/bin/csh
/usr/bin/ksh
/usr/bin/psh
/usr/bin/tsh
/usr/bin/bsh

The "/usr/bin/false", "/bin/false", "/dev/null", "/sbin/nologin" (and equivalents), and "sdshell" will be considered valid shells for use in the "/etc/passwd" file, but will not be listed in the shells stanza.
If a shell referenced in "/etc/passwd" is not listed in the shells stanza, excluding the above mentioned shells, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-16484r294316_fix)
Use the "chsh" utility or edit the "/etc/passwd" file and correct the error by changing the default shell of the account in error to an acceptable shell name contained in the "/etc/shells file". Alternatively, use the SMIT to change the "/etc/passwd" shell entry.