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All shells referenced in /etc/passwd must be listed in the /etc/shells file, except any shells specified for the purpose of preventing logins.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-917 GEN002140 SV-37393r2_rule Medium
Description
The shells file lists approved default shells. It helps provide layered defense to the security approach by ensuring users cannot change their default shell to an unauthorized unsecure shell.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2017-03-01

Details

Check Text ( C-36080r3_chk )
Confirm the login shells referenced in the /etc/passwd file are listed in the /etc/shells file.

Procedure:
Determine which shells are permitted for use by users:
# more /etc/shells

Note: /usr/bin/false, /bin/false, /dev/null, /sbin/nologin, /bin/sync, /sbin/halt, /sbin/shutdown, (and equivalents) cannot be placed in the /etc/shells file.

Determine which shells are being used:
# more /etc/passwd (optionally shells found in /etc/passwd can be grepped for in /etc/shells)

If any shells are found that are not in /etc/shells, or if false shells are found in /etc/shells, then this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-31324r3_fix)
Use the "chsh" utility or edit the /etc/passwd file and correct the error by changing the default shell of the account in error to an acceptable shell name contained in the /etc/shells file.

Example:
# chsh -s /bin/bash testuser