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RHEL-09-232135 RHEL 9 /etc/passwd file must be group-owned by root.

DISA STIG library V2R10
All changes in this version
first version loaded CAT II

Maps to CM-6 via CCI-000366

Title

RHEL 9 /etc/passwd file must be group-owned by root.

Control

Verify the group ownership of the "/etc/passwd" file with the following command: $ sudo stat -c "%G %n" /etc/passwd root /etc/passwd If "/etc/passwd" file does not have a group owner of "root", this is a finding.

Discussion

The "/etc/passwd" file contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Related controls

CCI-000366

Fix

Change the group of the file /etc/passwd to root by running the following command: $ sudo chgrp root /etc/passwd