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The /etc/passwd file must have mode 0644 or less permissive.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-798 GEN001380 SV-37344r1_rule ECLP-1 Medium
Description
If the passwd file is writable by a group-owner or the world, the risk of passwd file compromise is increased. The passwd file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2017-03-01

Details

Check Text ( C-36037r1_chk )
Check the mode of the /etc/passwd file.

Procedure:
# ls -lL /etc/passwd

If /etc/passwd has a mode more permissive than 0644, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-31280r1_fix)
Change the mode of the passwd file to 0644.

Procedure:
# chmod 0644 /etc/passwd