The /etc/nsswitch.conf file must be group-owned by root, bin, sys, or system.

From AIX 6.1 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

Associated with IA controls: ECLP-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-39101r1_rule The /etc/nsswitch.conf file must be group-owned by root, bin, sys, or system.

Vulnerability discussion

The nsswitch.conf file (or equivalent) configures the source of a variety of system security information including account, group, and host lookups. Malicious changes could prevent the system from functioning or compromise system security.

Check content

Check the group ownership of the nsswitch.conf file. AIX does not use the /etc/nsswitch.conf file. This check is not applicable. Procedure: # ls -lL /etc/nsswitch.conf If the file is not group-owned by root, bin, sys, or system, this is a finding.

Fix text

Change the group owner of the /etc/nsswitch.conf file to root, bin, sys, or system. Procedure: # chgrp system /etc/nsswitch.conf

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