Files executed through a mail aliases file must be owned by root and must reside within a directory owned and writable only by root.

From AIX 6.1 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

Associated with IA controls: ECLP-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-39506r1_rule Files executed through a mail aliases file must be owned by root and must reside within a directory owned and writable only by root.

Vulnerability discussion

If a file executed through a mail aliases file is not owned and writable only by root, it may be subject to unauthorized modification. Unauthorized modification of files executed through aliases may allow unauthorized users to attain root privileges.

Check content

Find the aliases file on the system. Procedure: # find / -name aliases -depth -print # more < aliases file location > Examine the aliases file for any directories or paths that may be utilized. Procedure: # ls -lL < path > Check if the file or parent directory is owned by root. If not, this is a finding.

Fix text

Edit the /etc/mail/aliases file (alternatively, /usr/lib/sendmail.cf). Locate the entries executing a program. They will appear similar to the following line. Aliasname: : /usr/local/bin/ls (or some other program name) Ensure root owns the programs and the directory(ies) they reside in by using the chown command to change owner to root. Procedure: # chown root filename

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