# Cis Ubuntu1204 V110 12 6

> Verify User/Group Ownership on /etc/group

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1204-v110-12-6` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1204-v110-12-6`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1204-v110-12-6/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-ubuntu1204-v110-12-6

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# 12.6 Verify User/Group Ownership on /etc/group (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1

## 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

### Using Command Line

Run the following command to determine the permissions on the `/etc/group` file:

```bash
/bin/ls -l /etc/group
```

## Expected Result

```
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root <size> <date> /etc/group
```

Owner should be `root` and group should be `root`.

## Remediation

### Using Command Line

If the ownership of the `/etc/group` file are incorrect, run the following command to correct them:

```bash
/bin/chown root:root /etc/group
```

## Default Value

root:root

## References

- CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0

## Profile

Level 1 - Scored