Verify permissions on Message of the Day Banner
Description
To properly set the permissions of /etc/motd, run the command:
$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/motd
Rationale
Display of a standardized and approved use notification before granting
access to the operating system ensures privacy and security notification
verbiage used is consistent with applicable federal laws, Executive Orders,
directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidance.
Proper permissions will ensure that only root user can modify the banner.
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/motd
Ansible playbook
The following playbook can be run with Ansible to remediate the issue.
- name: Test for existence /etc/motd
stat:
path: /etc/motd
register: file_exists
tags:
- configure_strategy
- file_permissions_etc_motd
- low_complexity
- low_disruption
- medium_severity
- no_reboot_needed
- name: Ensure permission u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt on /etc/motd
file:
path: /etc/motd
mode: u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt
when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
tags:
- configure_strategy
- file_permissions_etc_motd
- low_complexity
- low_disruption
- medium_severity
- no_reboot_needed
