Files executed through a mail aliases file must be owned by root and must reside within a directory owned and writable only by root.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-240436	VRAU-SL-000575	SV-240436r671049_rule		Medium

Description
If a file executed through a mail aliases file is not owned and writable only by root, it may be subject to unauthorized modification. Unauthorized modification of files executed through aliases may allow unauthorized users to attain root privileges.

STIG	Date
VMware vRealize Automation 7.x SLES Security Technical Implementation Guide	2021-06-24

Details

Check Text ( C-43669r671047_chk )
Verify the ownership of files referenced within the sendmail aliases file: # more /etc/aliases Examine the aliases file for any directories or paths used: # ls -lL Check the owner for any paths referenced. If the file or parent directory is not owned by "root", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-43628r671048_fix)
Edit the /etc/aliases file (alternatively, /usr/lib/sendmail.cf). Locate the entries executing a program. They will appear similar to the following line: Aliasname: : /usr/local/bin/ls (or some other program name) Ensure "root" owns the programs and the directory or directories they reside in by using the "chown" command to change owner to "root": # chown root