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The value mesg n must be configured as the default setting for all users.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-216343 SOL-11.1-040270 SV-216343r959010_rule Low
Description
The "mesg n" command blocks attempts to use the "write" or "talk" commands to contact users at their terminals, but has the side effect of slightly strengthening permissions on the user's TTY device.
STIG Date
Solaris 11 SPARC Security Technical Implementation Guide 2024-05-30

Details

Check Text ( C-17579r371117_chk )
Determine if "mesg n" is the default for users.

# grep "^mesg" /etc/.login

# grep "^mesg" /etc/profile

If either of these commands produces a line:
mesg y

this is a finding.

For each existing user on the system, enter the command:

# mesg

If the command output is:
is y

this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-17577r371118_fix)
The root role is required.

Edit the default profile configuration files.

# pfedit /etc/profile
# pfedit /etc/.login

In each file add a new line:

mesg n

For each user on the system, enter the command:

# mesg n