Title

The permission bits and user audit bits for HFS objects that are part of the Base TCP/IP component must be configured properly. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

HFS directories and files of the Base TCP/IP component provide the configuration, operational, and executable properties of IBMs TCP/IP system product. Failure to properly secure these objects may lead to unauthorized access resulting in the compromise of the integrity and availability of the operating system environment, ACP, and customer data.

Check Content

Refer to the following report produced by the UNIX System Services Data Collection: - USSCMDS.RPT(ITCP0040) Refer to the following report produced by the IBM Communications Server Data Collection: - PDI(ZTCP0040) The HFS permission bits and user audit bits for each directory and file match or are more restrictive than the specified settings listed in the table. If the guidance is true, this is not a finding. BASE TCP/IP HFS Object Security Settings File Permission Bits User Audit Bits /etc/hosts 0744 faf /etc/protocol 0744 faf /etc/resolv.conf 0744 faf /etc/services 0740 faf /usr/lpp/tcpip/sbin 0755 faf /usr/lpp/tcpip/bin 0755 faf NOTE: Some of the files listed above are not used in every configuration. Absence of any of the files is not considered a finding. The following represents a hierarchy for permission bits from least restrictive to most restrictive: 7 rwx (least restrictive) 6 rw- 3 -wx 2 -w- 5 r-x 4 r-- 1 --x 0 --- (most restrictive) The possible audit bits settings are as follows: f log for failed access attempts a log for failed and successful access - no auditing

Fix Text

The IAO with the assistance of a systems programmer with UID(0) and/or SUPERUSER access, will review the UNIX permission bits and user audit bits on the HFS directories and files for the Base TCP/IP component. Ensure they conform to the specifications in the BASE TCP/IP HFS Object Security Settings below: BASE TCP/IP HFS Object Security Settings File Permission Bits User Audit Bits /etc/hosts 0744 faf /etc/protocol 0744 faf /etc/resolv.conf 0744 faf /etc/services 0740 faf /usr/lpp/tcpip/sbin 0755 faf /usr/lpp/tcpip/bin 0755 faf Some of the files listed above (e.g., /etc/resolv.conf) are not used in every configuration. While the absence of a file is generally not a security issue, the existence of a file that has not been properly secured can often be an issue. Therefore, all directories and files that do exist will have the specified permission and audit bit settings. The following represents a hierarchy for permission bits from least restrictive to most restrictive: 7 rwx (least restrictive) 6 rw- 3 -wx 2 -w- 5 r-x 4 r-- 1 --x 0 --- (most restrictive) The possible audit bits settings are as follows: f log for failed access attempts a log for failed and successful access - no auditing The following commands can be used (from a user account with an effective UID(0)) to update the permission bits and audit bits: chmod 0744 /etc/hosts chaudit w=sf,rx+f /etc/hosts chmod 0744 /etc/protocol chaudit w=sf,rx+f /etc/protocol chmod 0744 /etc/resolv.conf chaudit w=sf,rx+f /etc/resolv.conf chmod 0740 /etc/services chaudit w=sf,rx+f /etc/services chmod 0755 /usr/lpp/tcpip/bin chaudit w=sf,rx+f /usr/lpp/tcpip/bin chmod 0755 /usr/lpp/tcpip/sbin chaudit w=sf,rx+f /usr/lpp/tcpip/sbin

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-3218r4_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-3218

Group Title: ITCP0040

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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