The /etc/security/passwd file must have mode 0400.

From AIX 6.1 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

Associated with IA controls: ECLP-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-38728r1_rule The /etc/security/passwd file must have mode 0400.

Vulnerability discussion

The /etc/security/passwd file contains the list of local system accounts. It is vital to system security and must be protected from unauthorized modification. The file also contains password hashes which must not be accessible to users other than root.

Check content

Check the mode of the /etc/security/passwd file. Procedure: # ls -lL /etc/security/passwd If the mode of this file is more permissive than 0400, this is a finding.

Fix text

Change the mode of the /etc/security/passwd file. # chmod 0400 /etc/security/passwd

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.