The /etc/shadow file (or equivalent) must be group-owned by root, bin, sys, or shadow.

From SUSE Linux Enterprise Server v11 for System z

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-45001r2_rule The /etc/shadow file (or equivalent) must be group-owned by root, bin, sys, or shadow.

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. The file also contains password hashes which must not be accessible to users other than root.

Check content

Check the ownership of the /etc/shadow file. Procedure: # ls -lL /etc/shadow If the file is not group-owned by root, bin, sys, or shadow, this is a finding.

Fix text

Change the group-owner of the /etc/shadow file. Procedure: # chgrp root /etc/shadow

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