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User Initialization Files Must Not Run World-Writable Programs

An XCCDF Rule

Description

Set the mode on files being executed by the user initialization files with the following command: 

$ sudo chmod o-w FILE

Rationale

If user start-up files execute world-writable programs, especially in unprotected directories, they could be maliciously modified to destroy user files or otherwise compromise the system at the user level. If the system is compromised at the user level, it is easier to elevate privileges to eventually compromise the system at the root and network level.

ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_accounts_user_dot_no_world_writable_programs
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



Remediation - Shell Script


readarray -t world_writable_files < <(find / -xdev -type f -perm -0002 2> /dev/null)
readarray -t interactive_home_dirs < <(awk -F':' '{ if ($3 >= 1000 && $3 != 65534) print $6 }' /etc/passwd)

for world_writable in "${world_writable_files[@]}"; do
    for homedir in "${interactive_home_dirs[@]}"; do