Navigate

Check: GEN001371

VMware ESX 3 Server: GEN001371 (in version v1 r2)

Title

The /etc/nsswitch.conf file must be owned by root. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The nsswitch.conf file (or equivalent) configures the source of a variety of system security information including account, group, and host lookups. Malicious changes could prevent the system from functioning or compromise system security.

Check Content

Verify the /etc/nsswitch.conf file is owned by root. Procedure: # ls -l /etc/nsswitch.conf If the file is not owned by root, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Change the owner of the /etc/nsswitch.conf file to root. # chown root /etc/nsswitch.conf

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-26417r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-22327

Group Title: GEN001371

Expert Comments

Expert comments are only available to logged-in users.

CCIs

CCIs tied to check.

Number	Definition
CCI-000225	Employ the principle of least privilege, allowing only authorized accesses for users (or processes acting on behalf of users) which are necessary to accomplish assigned organizational tasks.

Controls

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

Number	Title
AC-6	Least Privilege