All interactive user home directories defined in the /etc/passwd file must exist.

From HP-UX 11.31 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with IA controls: ECSC-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-38489r2_rule All interactive user home directories defined in the /etc/passwd file must exist.

Vulnerability discussion

If a user has a home directory defined that does not exist, the user may be given the / directory, by default, as the current working directory upon logon. This could create a Denial of Service because the user would not be able to perform useful tasks in this location.

Check content

Verify the consistency of the assigned home directories in the authentication database. For Trusted Mode: # authck -av If any assigned home directory does not exist, this is a finding. For SMSE: # pwck If any assigned home directory does not exist, this is a finding.

Fix text

Determine why the user home directory does not exist. Possible actions include: account deletion or disablement. If the account is determined to be valid, create the home directory either manually (mkdir directoryname, copy the skeleton files into the directory, chown account name for the new directory and the skeleton files) or via the HP SMH/SAM utility.

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