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CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 1.4.3 Ensure authentication required for single user mode

DevOps & Security
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Verify that authentication is required when booting into single user mode

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How to use this skill

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike/blob/HEAD/.cyberstrike/skill/CIS_benchmarks/Operating_Systems/Ubuntu/CIS_Ubuntu_Linux_14.04_LTS_Benchmark_v2.1.0/cis-ubuntu1404-v210-1-4-3/SKILL.md

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1.4.3 Ensure authentication required for single user mode (Scored)

Profile Applicability

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 1 - Workstation

Description

Single user mode is used for recovery when the system detects an issue during boot or by manual selection from the bootloader.

Rationale

Requiring authentication in single user mode prevents an unauthorized user from rebooting the system into single user to gain root privileges without credentials.

Audit Procedure

Perform the following to determine if a password is set for the root user:

grep ^root:[*\!]: /etc/shadow

No results should be returned.

Expected Result

No output should be returned. If output is returned, the root account does not have a password set.

Remediation

Run the following command and follow the prompts to set a password for the root user:

passwd root

Default Value

Not applicable.

References

  • CIS Controls: 5.1 Minimize And Sparingly Use Administrative Privileges

Profile

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 1 - Workstation