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All interactive user home directories defined in the /etc/passwd file must exist.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-900 GEN001460 SV-37379r1_rule ECSC-1 Low
Description
If a user has a home directory defined that does not exist, the user may be given the / directory, by default, as the current working directory upon logon. This could create a Denial of Service because the user would not be able to perform useful tasks in this location.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2012-05-25

Details

Check Text ( C-36066r1_chk )
Use pwck to verify assigned home directories exist.
# pwck
If any user's assigned home directory does not exist, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-31310r1_fix)
If a user has no home directory, determine why. If possible, delete accounts without a home directory. If the account is valid, then create the home directory using the appropriate system administration utility or manually.
For instance: mkdir directoryname; copy the skeleton files into the directory; chown accountname for the new directory and the skeleton files. Document all changes.