cyberstrikeus 6.1.1 Ensure permissions on /etc/passwd are configured (Automated)
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The /etc/passwd file contains user account information that is used by many system utilities and therefore must be readable for these utilities to operate.
Rationale
It is critical to ensure that the /etc/passwd file is protected from unauthorized write access. Although it is protected by default, the file permissions could be changed either inadvertently or through malicious actions.
Audit Procedure
Command Line
Run the following command to verify /etc/passwd is mode 644 or more restrictive, Uid is 0/root and Gid is 0/root:
# stat -Lc 'Access: (%#a/%A) Uid: ( %u/ %U) Gid: ( %g/ %G)' /etc/passwd
Expected Result
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
Remediation
Command Line
Run the following commands to remove excess permissions, set owner, and set group on /etc/passwd:
# chmod u-x,go-wx /etc/passwd
# chown root:root /etc/passwd
Default Value
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AC-3, MP-2
CIS Controls
- v8: 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists
- v7: 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists