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Check: GEN001475

VMware ESX 3 Server: GEN001475 (in version v1 r2)

Title

The /etc/group file must not contain any group password hashes. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Group passwords are typically shared and should not be used. Additionally, if password hashes are readable by non-administrators, the passwords are subject to attack through lookup tables or cryptographic weaknesses in the hashes.

Check Content

Check the /etc/group file for password hashes. Procedure: # cut -d : -f 2 /etc/group | egrep -v '^(x|!)$' If any password hashes are returned, this is a finding. If no password hashes are returned, there is no finding.

Fix Text

Edit /etc/group and change the password field to an exclamation point (!) to lock the group password.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-26447r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-22348

Group Title: GEN001475

Expert Comments

Expert comments are only available to logged-in users.

CCIs

CCIs tied to check.

Number	Definition
CCI-000225	The organization employs the concept of least privilege, allowing only authorized accesses for users (and processes acting on behalf of users) which are necessary to accomplish assigned tasks in accordance with organizational missions and business functions.

Controls

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

Number	Title
AC-6	Least Privilege