Verify Permissions on Backup group File

Docs > Datadog Security > OOTB Rules > Verify Permissions on Backup group File

Description

To properly set the permissions of /etc/group-, run the command:

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/group-

Rationale

The /etc/group- file is a backup file of /etc/group, and as such, it contains information regarding groups that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is important for system security.

Remediation

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/group-

Ansible playbook

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

- name: Test for existence /etc/group-
  stat:
    path: /etc/group-
  register: file_exists
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6 (1)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.7.c
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_permissions_backup_etc_group
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure permission u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt on /etc/group-
  file:
    path: /etc/group-
    mode: u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt
  when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6 (1)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.7.c
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_permissions_backup_etc_group
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed