The system must be configured to operate in a security mode.

From HP-UX 11.31 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with IA controls: DCSW-1

SV-38681r2_rule The system must be configured to operate in a security mode.

Vulnerability discussion

When operating in standard mode, account passwords are stored in the /etc/passwd file, which is world readable. By operating in either Trusted Mode or Standard Mode with Security Extensions, the system security posture is enhanced thru the addition of a secure, non-world readable password container other than /etc/passwd.

Check content

For Trusted Mode: Determine if the /tcb directory tree exists. # ls -lLd /tcb If the /tcb directory tree does not exist, this is a finding. For SMSE: Determine if the userdb directory tree and the /etc/shadow file exists. # ls -lL /var/adm/userdb # ls -lL /etc/shadow If both the /var/adm/userdb directory tree and the /etc/shadow file do not exist, this is a finding.

Fix text

SAM/SMH must be used to convert standard mode HP-UX to Trusted Mode (optional for SMSE). For Trusted Mode only: The following command may be used to “manually” convert from Standard Mode to Trusted Mode (note that its use is not vendor supported): # tsconvert -c For SMSE only: The following command may be used to “manually” create the /etc/shadow file with information from the /etc/passwd file (use of this commend is vendor supported). # pwconv Note that additional software bundles and/or patches may be required in order to completely convert a standard mode system to SMSE.

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