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The /etc/passwd file must be group-owned by root, bin, sys or system.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-22333 GEN001379 SV-44991r1_rule Medium
Description
The /etc/passwd file contains the list of local system accounts. It is vital to system security and must be protected from unauthorized modification.
STIG Date
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server v11 for System z Security Technical Implementation Guide 2018-09-19

Details

Check Text ( C-42398r1_chk )
Check the group ownership of the passwd file.

Procedure:
# ls -lL /etc/passwd

If the file is not group-owned by root, bin, sys, or system, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-38408r1_fix)
Change the group-owner of the /etc/passwd file to root, bin, sys, or system.

Procedure:
# chgrp root /etc/passwd