Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 • Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 05 Jan 2026
CAT II V-258074 RHEL-09-412065
RHEL 9 must define default permissions for all authenticated users in such a way that the user can only read and modify their own files.
Discussion
Setting the most restrictive default permissions ensures that when new accounts are created, they do not have unnecessary access.
Check Procedure
Verify RHEL 9 defines default permissions for all authenticated users in such a way that the user can only read and modify their own files with the following command: Note: If the value of the "UMASK" parameter is set to "000" in "/etc/login.defs" file, the Severity is raised to a CAT I. # grep -i umask /etc/login.defs UMASK 077 If the value for the "UMASK" parameter is not "077", or the "UMASK" parameter is missing or is commented out, this is a finding.
Fix Action
Configure RHEL 9 to define default permissions for all authenticated users in such a way that the user can only read and modify their own files. Add or edit the lines for the "UMASK" parameter in the "/etc/login.defs" file to "077": UMASK 077