# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 3.4.5 Ensure permissions on /etc/hosts.deny are configured

> Verify that /etc/hosts.deny has correct ownership and permissions (root:root 644)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-3-4-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-hosts-d` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-3-4-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-hosts-d`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-3-4-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-hosts-d/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-3-4-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-hosts-d

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# 3.4.5 Ensure permissions on /etc/hosts.deny are configured (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

The `/etc/hosts.deny` file contains network information that is used by many system applications and therefore must be readable for these applications to operate.

## Rationale

It is critical to ensure that the `/etc/hosts.deny` file is protected from unauthorized write access. Although it is protected by default, the file permissions could be changed either inadvertently or through malicious actions.

## Audit Procedure

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

```bash
stat /etc/hosts.deny
# Expected: Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--)  Uid: (    0/    root)   Gid: (    0/    root)
```

## Expected Result

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

## Remediation

Run the following commands to set permissions on `/etc/hosts.deny`:

```bash
chown root:root /etc/hosts.deny
chmod 644 /etc/hosts.deny
```

## 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