All AIX shells referenced in passwd file must be listed in /etc/shells file, except any shells specified for the purpose of preventing logins.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-215288 | AIX7-00-002103 | SV-215288r991589_rule | CCI-000366 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| The /etc/shells file lists approved default shells. It helps provide layered defense to the security approach by ensuring users cannot change their default shell to an unauthorized unsecure shell. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| IBM AIX 7.x Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2024-08-16 | |||
Related Frameworks
4 paths across 3 frameworks
Related Frameworks
NIST 800-531 mapping
CM-6
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
NIST 800-1712 mappings
3.4.1
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
- NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
3.4.2
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
- NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
CCI1 mapping
CCI-000366
1.00
- DISA · 3 · disa_xccdf · related
Details
Check Text (C-215288r991589_chk)
Confirm the login shells referenced in the "/etc/passwd" file are listed in the "/etc/security/login.cfg" file's "shells =variable" in the usw stanza by running commands:
# more /etc/security/login.cfg | grep shells | grep -v '*'
shells = /bin/sh,/bin/bsh,/bin/csh,/bin/ksh,/bin/tsh,/bin/ksh93,/usr/bin/sh,/usr/bin/bsh,/usr/bin/csh,/usr/bin/ksh,/usr/bin/tsh
# more /etc/shells
/bin/csh
/bin/ksh
/bin/psh
/bin/tsh
/bin/bsh
/usr/bin/csh
/usr/bin/ksh
/usr/bin/psh
/usr/bin/tsh
/usr/bin/bsh
The "/usr/bin/false", "/bin/false", "/dev/null", "/sbin/nologin" (and equivalents), and "sdshell" will be considered valid shells for use in the "/etc/passwd" file, but will not be listed in the shells stanza.
If a shell referenced in "/etc/passwd" is not listed in the shells stanza, excluding the above mentioned shells, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-16484r294316_fix)
Use the "chsh" utility or edit the "/etc/passwd" file and correct the error by changing the default shell of the account in error to an acceptable shell name contained in the "/etc/shells file".
Alternatively, use the SMIT to change the "/etc/passwd" shell entry.