The TFTP daemon must be configured to vendor specifications, including a dedicated TFTP user account, a non-login shell such as /bin/false, and a home directory owned by the TFTP user.

From Oracle Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-63159r1_rule The TFTP daemon must be configured to vendor specifications, including a dedicated TFTP user account, a non-login shell such as /bin/false, and a home directory owned by the TFTP user.

Vulnerability discussion

If TFTP has a valid shell, it increases the likelihood someone could log on to the TFTP account and compromise the system.

Check content

Check the /etc/passwd file to determine if TFTP is configured properly. Procedure: Check if TFTP if used. # grep disable /etc/xinetd.d/tftp If the file does not exist or the returned line indicates "yes", then this is not a finding. Otherwise, if the returned line indicates "no" then TFTP is enabled and must use a dedicated "tftp" user. # grep user /etc/xinetd.d/tftp If the returned line indicates a user other than the dedicated "tftp" user, this is a finding. # grep tftp /etc/passwd If a "tftp" user account does not exist and TFTP is active, this is a finding. Check the user shell for the "tftp" user. If it is not /bin/false or equivalent, this is a finding. Check the home directory assigned to the "tftp" user. If no home directory is set, or the directory specified is not dedicated to the use of the TFTP service, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure TFTP to use a dedicated "tftp" user. Procedure: Create a dedicated "tftp" user account if none exists. Assign a non-login shell to the "tftp" user account, such as /bin/false. Assign a home directory to the "tftp" user account. Edit /etc/xinetd.d/tftp to have "tftp" as the value of the "user" parameter.

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