Verify Group Ownership of Message of the Day Banner

An XCCDF Rule

Description

To properly set the group owner of /etc/motd, run the command:

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/motd

Rationale

Display of a standardized and approved use notification before granting access to the operating system ensures privacy and security notification verbiage used is consistent with applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidance.
Proper group ownership will ensure that only root user can modify the banner.

ID: xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_motd
Severity: Medium
References: CCE-83727-8

1.6.4
Updated: about 1 year ago

- name: Test for existence /etc/motd
  stat:
    path: /etc/motd
  register: file_exists
  tags:
  - CCE-83727-8  - configure_strategy
  - file_groupowner_etc_motd
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure group owner 0 on /etc/motd
  file:
    path: /etc/motd
    group: '0'
  when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - CCE-83727-8
  - configure_strategy
  - file_groupowner_etc_motd
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

chgrp 0 /etc/motd

Verify Group Ownership of Message of the Day Banner

Description

Rationale

Remediation - Ansible

Remediation - Shell Script