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The /etc/passwd file must be owned by root.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-22332 GEN001378 SV-37336r1_rule ECLP-1 Medium
Description
The /etc/passwd file contains the list of local system accounts. It is vital to system security and must be protected from unauthorized modification.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2015-03-12

Details

Check Text ( C-36027r1_chk )
Verify the /etc/passwd file is owned by root.
# ls -l /etc/passwd
If the file is not owned by root, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-31273r1_fix)
Change the owner of the /etc/passwd file to root.
# chown root /etc/passwd