Root passwords must never be passed over a network in clear text form.

From Oracle Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000197

SV-64449r2_rule Root passwords must never be passed over a network in clear text form.

Vulnerability discussion

If a user accesses the root account (or any account) using an unencrypted connection, the password is passed over the network in clear text form and is subject to interception and misuse. This is true even if recommended procedures are followed by logging on to a named account and using the su command to access root.

Check content

Determine if root has logged in over an unencrypted network connection. Examine /etc/syslog.conf to confirm the location to which "authpriv" messages are being sent. # grep authpriv.* /etc/syslog.conf Once the file is determined, perform the following command: # grep password | more Look for any lines that do not have sshd as the associated service. If root has logged in over the network and sshd is not running, this is a finding.

Fix text

Enable SSH on the system and use it for all remote connections used to attain root access

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