RHEL 9 /etc/group file must be group-owned by root.

Documentable No

Rule ID SV-257899r991589_rule

CCI References

CCI-000366

Discussion

The "/etc/group" file contains information regarding groups that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is important for system security.

Check Procedure

Verify the group ownership of the "/etc/group" file with the following command:

$ sudo stat -c "%G %n" /etc/group 

root /etc/group

If "/etc/group" file does not have a group owner of "root", this is a finding.

Fix Action

Change the group of the file /etc/group to root by running the following command:

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/group