Verify Permissions on passwd File

An XCCDF Rule

Description

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

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/passwd

Rationale

If the /etc/passwd file is writable by a group-owner or the world the risk of its compromise is increased. The file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information, and protection of this file is critical for system security.

ID: xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_passwd
Severity: Medium
References: BP28(R36)

12 13 14 15 16 18 3 5

5.5.2.2

APO01.06 DSS05.04 DSS05.07 DSS06.02

CCI-002223

4.3.3.7.3

SR 2.1 SR 5.2

A.10.1.1 A.11.1.4 A.11.1.5 A.11.2.1 A.13.1.1 A.13.1.3 A.13.2.1 A.13.2.3 A.13.2.4 A.14.1.2 A.14.1.3 A.6.1.2 A.7.1.1 A.7.1.2 A.7.3.1 A.8.2.2 A.8.2.3 A.9.1.1 A.9.1.2 A.9.2.3 A.9.4.1 A.9.4.4 A.9.4.5

CIP-003-8 R5.1.1 CIP-003-8 R5.3 CIP-004-6 R2.3 CIP-007-3 R2.1 CIP-007-3 R2.2 CIP-007-3 R2.3 CIP-007-3 R5.1 CIP-007-3 R5.1.1 CIP-007-3 R5.1.2

AC-6(1) CM-6(a)

PR.AC-4 PR.DS-5

Req-8.7.c

SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

2.2.6
Updated: about 1 year ago

- name: Test for existence /etc/passwd
  stat:
    path: /etc/passwd
  register: file_exists
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.5.2.2  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.7.c
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_permissions_etc_passwd
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure permission u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt on /etc/passwd
  file:
    path: /etc/passwd
    mode: u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt
  when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.5.2.2
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.7.c
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_permissions_etc_passwd
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed






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

Verify Permissions on passwd File

Description

Rationale

Remediation - Ansible

Remediation - Shell Script