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Verify permissions on Message of the Day Banner

An XCCDF Rule

Description

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

$ sudo chmod 0644 /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 permissions will ensure that only root user can modify the banner.

ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_motd
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



Remediation - Ansible

- name: Test for existence /etc/motd
  stat:
    path: /etc/motd
  register: file_exists
  tags:
  - configure_strategy

Remediation - Shell Script






chmod u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt /etc/motd