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RHEL 9 /etc/passwd- file must be owned by root.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-257908 RHEL-09-232140 SV-257908r991589_rule Medium
Description
The "/etc/passwd-" file is a backup file of "/etc/passwd", and as such, contains information about the users that are configured on the system. 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-61649r925709_chk )
Verify the ownership of the "/etc/passwd-" file with the following command:

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

root /etc/passwd-

If "/etc/passwd-" file does not have an owner of "root", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-61573r925710_fix)
Change the owner of the file /etc/passwd- to root by running the following command:

$ sudo chown root /etc/passwd-