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The /etc/shadow (or equivalent) file must be owned by root.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-797 GEN001400 SV-39826r1_rule ECLP-1 Medium
Description
The /etc/shadow file contains the list of local system accounts. It is vital to system security and must be protected from unauthorized modification. Failure to give ownership of sensitive files or utilities to root provides the designated owner and unauthorized users with the potential to access sensitive information or change the system configuration which could weaken the system's security posture.
STIG Date
Solaris 10 SPARC Security Technical Implementation Guide 2020-02-26

Details

Check Text ( C-301r2_chk )
Check the ownership of the /etc/shadow file.
# ls -lL /etc/shadow
If the /etc/shadow file is not owned by root, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-34673r1_fix)
Change the ownership of the /etc/shadow file.
# chown root /etc/shadow