# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 1.7.1.5 Ensure permissions on /etc/issue are configured

> Verify that /etc/issue has correct ownership and permissions to prevent unauthorized modification

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-7-1-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-issue` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-7-1-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-issue`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-7-1-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-issue/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-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-7-1-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-issue

---


# 1.7.1.5 Ensure permissions on /etc/issue are configured (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

The contents of the `/etc/issue` file are displayed to users prior to login for local terminals.

## Rationale

If the `/etc/issue` file does not have the correct ownership it could be modified by unauthorized users with incorrect or misleading information.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify `Uid` and `Gid` are both `0/root` and `Access` is `644`:

```bash
stat /etc/issue
```

## Expected Result

```
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
```

## Remediation

Run the following commands to set permissions on `/etc/issue`:

```bash
chown root:root /etc/issue
chmod 644 /etc/issue
```

## Default Value

Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)

## References

- CIS Controls: 5.1 Minimize And Sparingly Use Administrative Privileges

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation