cyberstrikeus 6.1.3 Ensure permissions on /etc/group are configured (Automated)
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
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
Command Line
Run the following command to verify /etc/group 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/group
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/group:
# chmod u-x,go-wx /etc/group
# chown root:root /etc/group
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