UCF STIG Viewer Logo
Changes are coming to https://stigviewer.com. Take our survey to help us understand your usage and how we can better serve you in the future.
Take Survey

The root account must not be used for direct logins.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-11979 GEN001020 SV-39848r1_rule ECPA-1 Medium
Description
Direct login with the root account prevents individual user accountability. Acceptable non-routine uses of the root account for direct login are limited to emergency maintenance, the use of single-user mode for maintenance, and situations where individual administrator accounts are not available.
STIG Date
Solaris 9 SPARC Security Technical Implementation Guide 2013-01-10

Details

Check Text ( C-39531r1_chk )
Check if the root is used for direct logins.

Procedure:
# last root | grep -v reboot

If any direct login records for root exist, this is a finding.

Verify the root user is configured as a role, rather than a normal user.

Procedure:
# egrep '^root:' /etc/user_attr

If the returned line does not include "type=role", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-34665r1_fix)
Convert the root user into a role.
# usermod -K type=role root

Add the root role to authorized users' logins.
# usermod -R root