Title

AIX system must restrict the ability to switch to the root user to members of a defined group. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Configuring a supplemental group for users permitted to switch to the root user prevents unauthorized users from accessing the root account, even with knowledge of the root credentials.

Check Content

Examine the "sugroups" of the root user. Generally only users in the adm group should have su to root capacity. Run the following command: # lsuser -a sugroups root root sugroups=system,staff,security If "sugroups" is blank or "ALL", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Use the "chsec" command to only allow users in the adm group to su to root: # chsec -f /etc/security/user -s root -a sugroups=adm

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-215338r508663_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-215338

Group Title: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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