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


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-257911 RHEL-09-232155 SV-257911r991589_rule Medium
Description
The "/etc/shadow" file stores password hashes. 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-61652r925718_chk )
Verify the group ownership of the "/etc/shadow" file with the following command:

$ sudo stat -c "%G %n" /etc/shadow

root /etc/shadow

If "/etc/shadow" file does not have a group owner of "root", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-61576r925719_fix)
Change the group of the file /etc/shadow to root by running the following command:

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/shadow