← Back to IBM AIX 7.x Security Technical Implementation Guide

V-215338

CAT II (Medium)

AIX system must restrict the ability to switch to the root user to members of a defined group.

Rule ID

SV-215338r991589_rule

STIG

IBM AIX 7.x Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V3R2

CCIs

CCI-000366

Discussion

Configuring a supplemental group for users permitted to switch to the root user prevents unauthorized users from accessing the root account, even with knowledge of the root credentials.

Check Content

Examine the "sugroups" of the root user. Generally only users in the adm group should have su to root capacity.

Run the following command: 

# lsuser -a sugroups root 
root sugroups=system,staff,security

If "sugroups" is blank or "ALL", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Use the "chsec" command to only allow users in the adm group to su to root:

# chsec -f /etc/security/user -s root -a sugroups=adm