RHEL-09-232270 - RHEL 9 /etc/shadow file must have mode 0000 to prevent unauthorized access.

Information

The "/etc/shadow" file contains the list of local system accounts and stores password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security. Failure to give ownership of this file to root provides the designated owner with access to sensitive information, which could weaken the system security posture.

Solution

Change the mode of the file "/etc/shadow" to "0000" by running the following command:

$ sudo chmod 0000 /etc/shadow

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_RHEL_9_V2R4_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6b., CAT|II, CCI|CCI-000366, Rule-ID|SV-257934r991589_rule, STIG-ID|RHEL-09-232270, Vuln-ID|V-257934

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: f7860001b6f001cc89aa7c18da8b4d57263448ff1f8906f36bc8aad324c8458b