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V-798

CAT II (Medium)

The /etc/passwd file must have mode 0644 or less permissive.

Rule ID

SV-44992r1_rule

STIG

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server v11 for System z Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R12

CCIs

CCI-000225

Discussion

If the passwd file is writable by a group-owner or the world, the risk of passwd file compromise is increased. The passwd file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information.

Check Content

Check the mode of the /etc/passwd file.

Procedure:
# ls -lL /etc/passwd

If /etc/passwd has a mode more permissive than 0644, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Change the mode of the passwd file to 0644.

Procedure:
# chmod 0644 /etc/passwd