Verify User Who Owns Backup shadow File

An XCCDF Rule

Description

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

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/shadow-

Rationale

The /etc/shadow- file is a backup file of /etc/shadow, and as such, it contains the list of local system accounts and password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

ID: xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_backup_etc_shadow
Severity: Medium
References: Req-8.7

SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

2.2.6

6.1.6
Updated: about 1 year ago

- name: Test for existence /etc/shadow-
  stat:
    path: /etc/shadow-
  register: file_exists
  tags:
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.7  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_groupowner_backup_etc_shadow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure group owner 0 on /etc/shadow-
  file:
    path: /etc/shadow-
    group: '0'
  when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.7
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_groupowner_backup_etc_shadow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

chgrp 0 /etc/shadow-

Verify User Who Owns Backup shadow File

Description

Rationale

Remediation - Ansible

Remediation - Shell Script