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The /etc/shadow file (or equivalent) must be group-owned by root, bin, or sys.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-22339 GEN001410 SV-37365r1_rule ECLP-1 Medium
Description
The /etc/shadow file contains the list of local system accounts. It is vital to system security and must be protected from unauthorized modification. The file also contains password hashes which must not be accessible to users other than root.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2017-03-01

Details

Check Text ( C-36053r1_chk )
Check the ownership of the /etc/shadow file.

Procedure:
# ls -lL /etc/shadow

If the file is not group-owned by root, bin, or sys, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-31297r1_fix)
Change the group-owner of the /etc/shadow file.

Procedure:
# chgrp root /etc/shadow