Title

The system must be checked weekly for unauthorized setuid files, as well as, unauthorized modification to authorized setuid files. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Files with the setuid bit set will allow anyone running these files to be temporarily assigned the UID of the file. While many system files depend on these attributes for proper operation, security problems can result if setuid is assigned to programs that allow reading and writing of files, or shell escapes.

Check Content

Determine if a weekly automated or manual process is used to generate a list of setuid files on the system and compare it with the prior list. If no such process is in place, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Establish a weekly automated or manual process to generate a list of setuid files on the system and compare it with the prior list. To create a list of setuid files use the following command. # find / -perm -4000 > setuid-file-list

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-803r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-803

Group Title: GEN002400

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.