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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-239530 VROM-SL-000555 SV-239530r662041_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 Operations Manager 6.x SLES Security Technical Implementation Guide 2021-07-01

Details

Check Text ( C-42763r662039_chk )
Verify the ownership of files referenced within the sendmail aliases file:

# more /etc/aliases

Examine the aliases file for any utilized directories or paths:

# ls -lL

Check the owner for any paths referenced. Check if the file or parent directory is owned by root.

If the file or parent directory is not owned by "root", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-42722r662040_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(ies) they reside in by using the chown command to change owner to "root":

# chown root