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The Linux PAM system must not grant sole access to admin privileges to the first user who logs into the console.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-4346 GEN000000-LNX00600 SV-37339r1_rule ECPA-1 Medium
Description
If an unauthorized user has been granted privileged access while logged in at the console, the security posture of a system could be greatly compromised. Additionally, such a situation could deny legitimate root access from another terminal.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2017-03-01

Details

Check Text ( C-2225r2_chk )
Ensure the pam_console.so module is not configured in any files in /etc/pam.d by:

# cd /etc/pam.d
# grep pam_console.so *

Or

# ls -la /etc/security/console.perms

If either the pam_console.so entry or the file /etc/security/console.perms is found then this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-4257r3_fix)
Configure PAM to not grant sole access of administrative privileges to the first user logged in at the console.

Identify any instances of pam_console.

# cd /etc/pam.d
# grep pam_console.so *

For any files containing an un-commented reference to pam_console.so, edit the file and remove or comment out the reference.

Remove the console.perms file if it exists:
# rm /etc/security/console.perms