Title

Root passwords must never be passed over a network in clear text form. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

If a user accesses the root account (or any account) using an unencrypted connection, the password is passed over the network in clear text form and is subject to interception and misuse. This is true even if recommended procedures are followed by logging on to a named account and using the su command to access root.

Check Content

Determine if root has logged in over an unencrypted network connection. First determine if root has logged in over a network. Procedure: # last | grep "^root " | egrep -v "reboot| |ttyS0" | more If root has logged in over the network, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Enable SSH on the system and authenticate with a userid/password that has “su” privileges to attain root access.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-44919r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-1046

Group Title: GEN001100

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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