CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 6.2.9 Ensure users own their home directories

6.2.9 Ensure users own their home directories (Scored)

Profile Applicability

• Level 1 - Server
• Level 1 - Workstation

Description

The user home directory is space defined for the particular user to set local environment variables and to store personal files.

Rationale

Since the user is accountable for files stored in the user home directory, the user must be the owner of the directory.

Audit Procedure

Run the following script and verify no results are returned:

#!/bin/bash

cat /etc/passwd | egrep -v '^(root|halt|sync|shutdown)' | awk -F: '($7 != "/usr/sbin/nologin" && $7 != "/bin/false") { print $1 " " $6 }' | while read user dir; do
  if [ ! -d "$dir" ]; then
     echo "The home directory ($dir) of user $user does not exist."
  else
    owner=$(stat -L -c "%U" "$dir")
    if [ "$owner" != "$user" ]; then
      echo "The home directory ($dir) of user $user is owned by $owner."
    fi
  fi
done

Expected Result

No output should be returned.

Remediation

Change the ownership of any home directories that are not owned by the defined user to the correct user.

Default Value

Not applicable.

References

None

CIS Controls

14.4 Protect Information With Access Control Lists - All information stored on systems shall be protected with file system, network share, claims, application, or database specific access control lists.

Profile

• Level 1