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


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-22333 GEN001379 SV-37337r1_rule ECLP-1 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
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2013-04-10

Details

Check Text ( C-36028r1_chk )
Check the group ownership of the passwd file.

Procedure:
# ls -lL /etc/passwd

If the file is not group-owned by root, bin or sys, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-31274r1_fix)
Change the group-owner of the /etc/passwd file to root, bin or sys.

Procedure:
# chgrp root /etc/passwd