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

Documentable No

Rule ID SV-257909r991589_rule

CCI References

CCI-000366

Discussion

The "/etc/passwd-" file is a backup file of "/etc/passwd", and as such, contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Check Procedure

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

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

root /etc/passwd-

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

Fix Action

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

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/passwd-