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RHEL 9 /etc/passwd file must have mode 0644 or less permissive to prevent unauthorized access.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-257895 RHEL-09-232075 SV-257895r991589_rule Medium
Description
If the "/etc/passwd" file is writable by a group-owner or the world the risk of its compromise is increased. The file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information, and protection of this file is critical for system security.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2024-06-04

Details

Check Text ( C-61636r925670_chk )
Verify that the "/etc/passwd" file has mode "0644" or less permissive with the following command:

$ sudo stat -c "%a %n" /etc/passwd

644 /etc/passwd

If a value of "0644" or less permissive is not returned, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-61560r925671_fix)
Change the mode of the file "/etc/passwd" to "0644" by running the following command:

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/passwd