The /etc/hosts 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-38085r1_rule The /etc/hosts file must have mode 0644 or less permissive.

Vulnerability discussion

The /etc/hosts file (or equivalent) configures local host name to IP address mappings typically taking precedence over DNS resolution. If this file is maliciously modified, it could cause the failure or compromise of security functions requiring name resolution, such as time synchronization, centralized authentication, and remote system logging.

Check content

Open a terminal session and enter the following command to verify the permissions of the etc/hosts file. ls -lL /etc/hosts If the /etc/hosts file permissions are not set to 644, this is a finding.

Fix text

Open a terminal session and use the following command to set the mode of the etc/hosts file. chmod 644 /etc/hosts

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