The /etc/security/passwd file must be owned by root.

From AIX 6.1 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

Associated with IA controls: ECLP-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-38944r1_rule The /etc/security/passwd file must be owned by root.

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. Failure to give ownership of sensitive files or utilities to root or bin provides the designated owner and unauthorized users with the potential to access sensitive information or change the system configuration which could weaken the system's security posture.

Check content

Check the ownership of the /etc/security/passwd file. Procedure: # ls -lL /etc/security/passwd If the owner of this file is not root, this is a finding.

Fix text

Change the ownership of the /etc/security/passwd file. # chown root /etc/security/passwd

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