Any X Windows host must write .Xauthority files.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-216308	SOL-11.1-020500	SV-216308r959010_rule		Medium

Description
.Xauthority files ensure the user is authorized to access the specific X Windows host. If .Xauthority files are not used, it may be possible to obtain unauthorized access to the X Windows host.

STIG	Date
Solaris 11 SPARC Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-05-30

Details

Check Text ( C-17544r371012_chk )
If X Display Manager (XDM) is not used on the system, this is not applicable. Determine if XDM is running. Procedure: # ps -ef \| grep xdm If X Display Manager (XDM) is not used on the system, this is not applicable. Determine if XDM is running. Procedure: # ps -ef \| grep xdm Check for .Xauthority files being utilized by looking for such files in the home directory of a user that uses X. Procedure: # cd ~someuser # ls -la .Xauthority If the .Xauthority file does not exist, ask the SA if the user is using X Windows. If the user is utilizing X Windows and the .Xauthority file does not exist, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-17544r371012_chk )

If X Display Manager (XDM) is not used on the system, this is not applicable.

Determine if XDM is running.
Procedure:
# ps -ef | grep xdm

If X Display Manager (XDM) is not used on the system, this is not applicable.

Determine if XDM is running.
Procedure:
# ps -ef | grep xdm

Check for .Xauthority files being utilized by looking for such files in the home directory of a user that uses X.

Procedure:
# cd ~someuser
# ls -la .Xauthority

If the .Xauthority file does not exist, ask the SA if the user is using X Windows. If the user is utilizing X Windows and the .Xauthority file does not exist, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-17542r371013_fix)
Ensure the X Windows host is configured to write .Xauthority files into user home directories. Edit the Xaccess file. Ensure the line that writes the .Xauthority file is uncommented.