The TOSS 5 /etc/shadow- file must be group-owned by root.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-282666 | TOSS-05-000170 | SV-282666r1200978_rule | CCI-000366 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| The "/etc/shadow-" file is a backup file of "/etc/shadow", and as such, contains the list of local system accounts and password hashes. Protecting this file is critical for system security. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Tri-Lab Operating System Stack (TOSS) 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2026-04-01 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-282666r1200978_chk)
Verify the group ownership of the "/etc/shadow-" file using the following command:
$ sudo stat -c "%G %n" /etc/shadow-
root /etc/shadow-
If "/etc/shadow-" file does not have a group owner of "root", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-87132r1200977_fix)
Change the group of the file /etc/shadow- to root using the following command:
$ sudo chgrp root /etc/shadow-