Verify Permissions on passwd File
Description
To properly set the permissions of /etc/passwd, run the command:
$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/passwd
Rationale
If the /etc/passwd file is writable by a group-owner or the
world the risk of its compromise is increased. The file contains the list of
accounts on the system and associated information, and protection of this file
is critical for system security.
Shell script
The following script can be run on the host to remediate the issue.
#!/bin/bash
chmod u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt /etc/passwd
Ansible playbook
The following playbook can be run with Ansible to remediate the issue.
- name: Test for existence /etc/passwd
stat:
path: /etc/passwd
register: file_exists
tags:
- CJIS-5.5.2.2
- NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
- NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
- PCI-DSS-Req-8.7.c
- PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
- configure_strategy
- file_permissions_etc_passwd
- low_complexity
- low_disruption
- medium_severity
- no_reboot_needed
- name: Ensure permission u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt on /etc/passwd
file:
path: /etc/passwd
mode: u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt
when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
tags:
- CJIS-5.5.2.2
- NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
- NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
- PCI-DSS-Req-8.7.c
- PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
- configure_strategy
- file_permissions_etc_passwd
- low_complexity
- low_disruption
- medium_severity
- no_reboot_needed
