The /etc/shadow (or equivalent) file must be owned by root.

From HP-UX 11.31 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-38468r2_rule The /etc/shadow (or equivalent) file must be owned by root.

Vulnerability discussion

The /etc/shadow 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

For Trusted Mode: Check the ownership of the /etc/shadow file. # ls -lL /etc/shadow If the /etc/shadow file exists and is not owned by root, this is a finding. NOTE: /etc/shadow should not exist if the system is in Trusted Mode. Check the ownership of the TCB auth files and directories. # ls -lLd /tcb /tcb/files /tcb/files/auth # ls -lL /tcb/files/auth/[a-z,A-Z]/* If the owner of any of the /tcb files and directories is not root, this is a finding. For SMSE: Check the /etc/shadow file. # ls -lL /etc/shadow If the /etc/shadow file exists and is not owned by root, this is a finding.

Fix text

For Trusted Mode: # chown root /tcb # chown root /tcb/files /tcb/files/auth # chown root /tcb/files/auth/[a-z]/* For SMSE: # chown root /etc/shadow

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.