The /etc/hosts file must be group-owned by root, bin, sys, or system.

From HP-UX 11.31 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with IA controls: ECLP-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-38314r1_rule The /etc/hosts file must be group-owned by root, bin, sys, or system.

Vulnerability discussion

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

Check content

Check the /etc/hosts file's group ownership. Procedure: # ls -lL /etc/hosts If the file is not group-owned by root, bin, sys, or other, this is a finding.

Fix text

Change the group owner of the /etc/hosts file to root, sys, bin, or other. Procedure: # chgrp root /etc/hosts

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