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SLEM 5 must generate audit records for all account creations, modifications, disabling, and termination events that affect /etc/passwd.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-261451 SLEM-05-654140 SV-261451r996760_rule Medium
Description
Once an attacker establishes initial access to a system, the attacker often attempts to create a persistent method of reestablishing access. One way to accomplish this is for the attacker to simply create a new account. Auditing account creation mitigates this risk. To address access requirements, SLEM 5 may be integrated with enterprise-level authentication/access/auditing mechanisms that meet or exceed access control policy requirements.
STIG Date
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro (SLEM) 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2024-06-04

Details

Check Text ( C-65180r996758_chk )
Verify SLEM 5 generates an audit record when all modifications occur to the "/etc/passwd" file with the following command:

> sudo auditctl -l | grep -w '/etc/passwd'
-w /etc/passwd -p wa -k account_mod

If the command does not return a line that matches the example or the line is commented out, this is a finding.

Notes: The "-k" allows for specifying an arbitrary identifier. The string following "-k" does not need to match the example output above.
Fix Text (F-65088r996759_fix)
Configure SLEM 5 to generate an audit record when all modifications to the "/etc/passwd" file occur.

Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/audit/rules.d/audit.rules" file:

-w /etc/passwd -p wa -k account_mod

To reload the rules file, restart the audit daemon:

> sudo systemctl restart auditd.service

or issue the following command:

> sudo augenrules --load