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

Documentable No

Rule ID SV-257911r991589_rule

CCI References

CCI-000366

Discussion

The "/etc/shadow" file stores password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Check Procedure

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

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

root /etc/shadow

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

Fix Action

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

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/shadow