The TOSS 5 /etc/shadow file must have mode 0000 to prevent unauthorized access.

Overview

Finding IDVersionRule IDIA ControlsSeverity
V-282674TOSS-05-000191SV-282674r1201002_ruleCCI-000366medium
Description
The "/etc/shadow" file contains the list of local system accounts and stores password hashes. Protecting this file is critical for system security. Failure to give ownership of this file to root provides the designated owner with access to sensitive information, which could weaken the system security posture.
STIGDate
Tri-Lab Operating System Stack (TOSS) 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide2026-04-01

Details

Check Text (C-282674r1201002_chk)

Verify the "/etc/shadow" file has mode "0000" using the following command: $ sudo stat -c "%a %n" /etc/shadow 0 /etc/shadow If a value of "0" is not returned, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-87140r1201001_fix)

Change the mode of the file "/etc/shadow" to "0000" using the following command: $ sudo chmod 0000 /etc/shadow