The /etc/passwd file must have mode 0644 or less permissive.

From MAC OSX 10.6 Workstation Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with IA controls: ECLP-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-37990r1_rule The /etc/passwd file must have mode 0644 or less permissive.

Vulnerability discussion

If the password file is writable by a group owner or the world, the risk of password file compromise is increased. The password file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information.

Check content

Open a terminal session and enter the following command to verify the permissions on the password file. ls -Ll /etc/passwd If the permissions are not set to 644, this is a finding.

Fix text

Open a terminal session and enter the following command to set the permissions for the password file. chmod 644 /etc/passwd

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.