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V-219206

CAT II (Medium)

The Ubuntu operating system must have system commands owned by root.

Rule ID

SV-219206r991560_rule

STIG

Canonical Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R15

CCIs

CCI-001499

Discussion

If the Ubuntu operating system were to allow any user to make changes to software libraries, then those changes might be implemented without undergoing the appropriate testing and approvals that are part of a robust change management process. This requirement applies to Ubuntu operating systems with software libraries that are accessible and configurable, as in the case of interpreted languages. Software libraries also include privileged programs which execute with escalated privileges. Only qualified and authorized individuals must be allowed to obtain access to information system components for purposes of initiating changes, including upgrades and modifications.

Check Content

Verify the system commands contained in the following directories are owned by root:

/bin
/sbin
/usr/bin
/usr/sbin
/usr/local/bin
/usr/local/sbin

Use the following command for the check:

# sudo find -L /bin /sbin /usr/bin /usr/sbin /usr/local/bin /usr/local/sbin ! -user root -type f -exec stat -c "%n %U" '{}' \;

If any system commands are returned, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the system commands - and their respective parent directories - to be protected from unauthorized access. Run the following command:

# sudo find -L /bin /sbin /usr/bin /usr/sbin /usr/local/bin /usr/local/sbin ! -user root -type f -exec chown root '{}' \;