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

Documentable No

Rule ID SV-257900r991589_rule

CCI References

CCI-000366

Discussion

The "/etc/group-" file is a backup file of "/etc/group", and as such, contains information regarding groups that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is important for system security.

Check Procedure

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

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

root /etc/group- 

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

Fix Action

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

$ sudo chown root /etc/group-