cyberstrikeus 6.1.4 Ensure permissions on /etc/group are configured (Scored)
Profile Applicability
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The /etc/group file contains a list of all the valid groups defined in the system. The command below allows read/write access for root and read access for everyone else.
Rationale
The /etc/group file needs to be protected from unauthorized changes by non-privileged users, but needs to be readable as this information is used with many non-privileged programs.
Audit Procedure
Run the following command and verify Uid and Gid are both 0/root and Access is 644:
stat /etc/group
Expected Result
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
Remediation
Run the following command to set permissions on /etc/group:
chown root:root /etc/group
chmod 644 /etc/group
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