Title

RHEL 9 /etc/passwd file must be owned by root. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The "/etc/passwd" file contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Check Content

Verify the ownership of the "/etc/passwd" file with the following command: $ sudo stat -c "%U %n" /etc/passwd root /etc/passwd If "/etc/passwd" file does not have an owner of "root", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Change the owner of the file /etc/passwd to root by running the following command: $ sudo chown root /etc/passwd

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-257906r925705_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-257906

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

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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