# Cis Cassandra311 1.5

> Ensure the Cassandra service is run as a non-root user

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra311-1-5` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra311-1-5`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra311-1-5/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-cassandra311-1-5

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# 1.5 Ensure the Cassandra service is run as a non-root user

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Cassandra on Linux
- Level 2 - Cassandra on Linux

## Description

Though Cassandra database may be run as root, it should run as another non-root user.

## Rationale

One of the best ways to reduce your exposure to attack is to create a unique, unprivileged user and group for the server application. A best practice is to follow is ensuring processes run with a user with least privilege.

## Audit

Logon to the server where Cassandra is running and run the following command

```bash
ps -aef | grep cassandra | grep java | cut -d' ' -f1
```

This will show who is running the Cassandra binary.
If the user is root or has excessive privileges then this is a finding.

## Remediation

Create a group for cassandra (if it does not already exist)

```bash
sudo groupadd cassandra
```

Create a user which is only used for running Cassandra and its related processes.

Replacing <DIRECTORY_WHERE_CASSANDRA_INSTALLED> with the full path of where Cassandra binaries are installed.
Replacing <USERID_NUMBER> with a number not already used on the server

## Default Value

No default user exists for running Cassandra.

## References

Not specified in the benchmark.

## CIS Controls

- v8: 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists
- v8: 5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts
- v7: 4.3 Ensure the Use of Dedicated Administrative Accounts
- v7: 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists

## Profile

- Level 1 | Automated