Cron must not execute programs in, or subordinate to, world-writable directories.

From AIX 6.1 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

Associated with IA controls: DCSL-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-38947r1_rule Cron must not execute programs in, or subordinate to, world-writable directories.

Vulnerability discussion

If cron programs are located in or subordinate to world-writable directories, they become vulnerable to removal and replacement by malicious users or system intruders.

Check content

List all cronjobs on the system. Procedure: # ls /var/spool/cron/crontabs/ If cron jobs exist under any of the above directories search for programs executed by cron. Procedure: # more Determine if the directory containing programs executed from cron is world-writable. Procedure: # ls -ld If cron executes programs in world-writable directories, this is a finding.

Fix text

Remove the world-writable permission from the cron program directories identified. Procedure: # chmod o-w

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