# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 6.1.2 Ensure permissions on /etc/passwd are configured

> Verify /etc/passwd has correct ownership (root:root) and permissions (644)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-1-2-ensure-permissions-on-etc-passwd-` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-1-2-ensure-permissions-on-etc-passwd-`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-1-2-ensure-permissions-on-etc-passwd-/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- 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-6-1-2-ensure-permissions-on-etc-passwd-

---


# 6.1.2 Ensure permissions on /etc/passwd are configured (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

The `/etc/passwd` file contains user account information that is used by many system utilities and therefore must be readable for these utilities to operate.

## Rationale

It is critical to ensure that the `/etc/passwd` 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/passwd
```

## Expected Result

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

## Remediation

Run the following command to set permissions on `/etc/passwd`:

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

## Default Value

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

## References

None

## CIS Controls

16.14 Encrypt/Hash All Authentication Files And Monitor Their Access - Verify that all authentication files are encrypted or hashed and that these files cannot be accessed without root or administrator privileges. Audit all access to password files in the system.

## Profile

- Level 1