RHEL-09-232145 RHEL 9 /etc/passwd- file must be group-owned by root.
DISA STIG library V2R10
All changes in this version
All changes in this version
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 is a backup file of "/etc/passwd", and as such, 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-