The Ubuntu operating system must prevent direct login into the root account.
From Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 Security Technical Implementation Guide
Part of SRG-OS-000109-GPOS-00056
Associated with:
CCI-000770
SV-90125r3_rule
The Ubuntu operating system must prevent direct login into the root account.
Vulnerability discussion
To assure individual accountability and prevent unauthorized access, organizational users must be individually identified and authenticated.A group authenticator is a generic account used by multiple individuals. Use of a group authenticator alone does not uniquely identify individual users. Examples of the group authenticator is the UNIX OS "root" user account, the Windows "Administrator" account, the "sa" account, or a "helpdesk" account.For example, the UNIX and Windows operating systems offer a 'switch user' capability allowing users to authenticate with their individual credentials and, when needed, 'switch' to the administrator role. This method provides for unique individual authentication prior to using a group authenticator.Users (and any processes acting on behalf of users) need to be uniquely identified and authenticated for all accesses other than those accesses explicitly identified and documented by the organization, which outlines specific user actions that can be performed on the Ubuntu operating system without identification or authentication.Requiring individuals to be authenticated with an individual authenticator prior to using a group authenticator allows for traceability of actions, as well as adding an additional level of protection of the actions that can be taken with group account knowledge.
Check content
Verify the Ubuntu operating system prevents direct logins to the root account.
Check that the Ubuntu operating system prevents direct logins to the root account with the following command:
# grep root /etc/shadow
root L 11/11/2017 0 99999 7 -1
If any output is returned and the second field is not an "L", this is a finding.
Fix text
Configure the Ubuntu operating system to prevent direct logins to the root account.
Run the following command to lock the root account:
# passwd -l root
Pro Tips
Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS
class id, if you view the page source) point to
globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the
link location and paste anywhere you need to talk
unambiguously about these things.
You can obtain data about documents and items in other
formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept:
text/turtle or
Accept: application/rdf+xml.
Powered by sagemincer