Verify Group Who Owns /etc/cron.allow file

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Description

If /etc/cron.allow exists, it must be group-owned by crontab.

To properly set the group owner of /etc/cron.allow, run the command:

$ sudo chgrp crontab /etc/cron.allow

Rationale

If the owner of the cron.allow file is not set to crontab, the possibility exists for an unauthorized user to view or edit sensitive information.

Remediation

Shell script

The following script can be run on the host to remediate the issue.

#!/bin/bash

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ]; then

chgrp -L crontab /etc/cron.allow

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi

Ansible playbook

The following playbook can be run with Ansible to remediate the issue.

- name: Test for existence /etc/cron.allow
  stat:
    path: /etc/cron.allow
  register: file_exists
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_groupowner_cron_allow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure group owner crontab on /etc/cron.allow
  file:
    path: /etc/cron.allow
    group: crontab
  when:
  - ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  - file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_groupowner_cron_allow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed