The /etc/passwd file must not have an extended ACL.

From MAC OSX 10.6 Workstation Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with IA controls: ECLP-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-38089r1_rule The /etc/passwd file must not have an extended ACL.

Vulnerability discussion

File system ACLs can provide access to files beyond what is allowed by the mode numbers of the files. The /etc/passwd file contains the list of local system accounts. It is vital to system security and must be protected from unauthorized modification.

Check content

Open a terminal session and enter the following command to view the /etc/passwd file extended ACLs. ls -lL /etc/passwd If the permissions include a '+', the file has an extended ACL, this is a finding.

Fix text

Open a terminal session and enter the following command to remove the extended ACLs. chmod -N /etc/passwd

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