# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 6.1.5 Ensure permissions on /etc/gshadow are configured

> Verify /etc/gshadow has correct ownership (root:shadow) and permissions (640 or more restrictive)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-1-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-gshadow` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-1-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-gshadow`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-6-1-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-gshadow/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-6-1-5-ensure-permissions-on-etc-gshadow

---


# 6.1.5 Ensure permissions on /etc/gshadow are configured (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

The `/etc/gshadow` file is used to store the information about groups that is critical to the security of those accounts, such as the hashed password and other security information.

## Rationale

If attackers can gain read access to the `/etc/gshadow` file, they can easily run a password cracking program against the hashed password to break it. Other security information that is stored in the `/etc/gshadow` file (such as group administrators) could also be useful to subvert the group.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify `Uid` is `0/root`, `Gid` is `<gid>/shadow`, and `Access` is `640` or more restrictive:

```bash
stat /etc/gshadow
```

## Expected Result

```
Access: (0640/-rw-r-----)  Uid: (    0/    root)   Gid: (   42/  shadow)
```

## Remediation

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

```bash
chown root:shadow /etc/gshadow
chmod o-rwx,g-rw /etc/gshadow
```

## Default Value

Access: (0640/-rw-r-----) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 42/ shadow)

## 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