cyberstrikeus 6.1.7 Ensure permissions on /etc/gshadow are configured (Automated)
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The /etc/gshadow file is used to store the information about groups that is critical to the security of those accounts, such as the hashed password and other security information.
Rationale
If attackers can gain read access to the /etc/gshadow file, they can easily run a password cracking program against the hashed password to break it. Other security information that is stored in the /etc/gshadow file (such as group administrators) could also be useful to subvert the group.
Audit Procedure
Command Line
Run the following command to verify /etc/gshadow is mode 640 or more restrictive, Uid is 0/root and Gid is 0/root or {GID}/shadow:
# stat -Lc 'Access: (%#a/%A) Uid: ( %u/ %U) Gid: ( %g/ %G)' /etc/gshadow
Expected Result
Access: (0640/-rw-r-----) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 42/ shadow)
Remediation
Command Line
Run one of the following commands to set ownership of /etc/gshadow to root and group to either root or shadow:
# chown root:shadow /etc/gshadow
-OR-
# chown root:root /etc/gshadow
Run the following command to remove excess permissions from /etc/gshadow:
# chmod u-x,g-wx,o-rwx /etc/gshadow
Default Value
Access: (0640/-rw-r-----) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 42/ shadow)
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