5.4.3 Ensure default group for the root account is GID 0

Information

The usermod command can be used to specify which group the root user belongs to. This affects permissions of files that are created by the root user.

Rationale:

Using GID 0 for the root account helps prevent root-owned files from accidentally becoming accessible to non-privileged users.

Solution

Run the following command to set the root user default group to GID 0:

# usermod -g 0 root

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3738