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The /etc/passwd file must have mode 0644 or less permissive.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-798 GEN001380 SV-44992r1_rule Medium
Description
If the passwd file is writable by a group-owner or the world, the risk of passwd file compromise is increased. The passwd file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information.
STIG Date
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server v11 for System z 2016-12-20

Details

Check Text ( C-42399r1_chk )
Check the mode of the /etc/passwd file.

Procedure:
# ls -lL /etc/passwd

If /etc/passwd has a mode more permissive than 0644, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-38409r1_fix)
Change the mode of the passwd file to 0644.

Procedure:
# chmod 0644 /etc/passwd