# Cis Ubuntu1604 V200 5 7

> Ensure access to the su command is restricted

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1604-v200-5-7` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1604-v200-5-7`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1604-v200-5-7/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-ubuntu1604-v200-5-7

---


# Ensure access to the su command is restricted

**Profile Applicability:**

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

**Assessment Status:** Automated

## Description

The `su` command allows a user to run a command or shell as another user. The program has been superseded by `sudo`, which allows for more granular control over privileged access. Normally, the `su` command can be executed by any user. By adding, or uncommenting, the `pam_wheel.so` statement in `/etc/pam.d/su`, the `su` command will only allow users in a specific group to execute `su`. This group should be empty to reinforce the use of `sudo` for privileged access.

## Rationale

Restricting the use of `su`, and using `sudo` in its place, provides system administrators better control of the escalation of user privileges to execute privileged commands. The `sudo` utility also provides a better logging and audit mechanism, as it can log each command executed via `sudo`, whereas `su` can only record that a user executed the `su` program.

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

Run the following command and verify the output matches the line:

```bash
grep pam_wheel.so /etc/pam.d/su
```

**Expected output:**

```
auth required pam_wheel.so use_uid group=<group_name>
```

Run the following command and verify that the group specified in `<group_name>` contains no users:

```bash
grep <group_name> /etc/group
```

**Expected output:**

```
<group_name>:x:<GID>:
```

There should be no users listed after the Group ID field.

## Remediation

### Command Line

Create an empty group that will be specified for use of the `su` command. The group should be named according to site policy.

_Example:_

```bash
groupadd sugroup
```

Add the following line to the `/etc/pam.d/su` file, specifying the empty group:

_Example:_

```
auth required pam_wheel.so use_uid group=sugroup
```

## References

None

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                                                                                                 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| v7               | 5.1 Establish Secure Configurations - Maintain documented, standard security configuration standards for all authorized operating systems and software. |

## Profile

- **Level 1 - Server**
- **Level 1 - Workstation**