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CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 6.1.4 Ensure permissions on /etc/group are configured

DevOps & Security
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Verify /etc/group has correct ownership (root:root) and permissions (644)

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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-v210-6-1-4/SKILL.md

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6.1.4 Ensure permissions on /etc/group are configured (Scored)

Profile Applicability

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 1 - Workstation

Description

The /etc/group file contains a list of all the valid groups defined in the system. The command below allows read/write access for root and read access for everyone else.

Rationale

The /etc/group file needs to be protected from unauthorized changes by non-privileged users, but needs to be readable as this information is used with many non-privileged programs.

Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify Uid and Gid are both 0/root and Access is 644:

stat /etc/group

Expected Result

Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--)  Uid: (    0/    root)   Gid: (    0/    root)

Remediation

Run the following command to set permissions on /etc/group:

chown root:root /etc/group
chmod 644 /etc/group

Default Value

Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)

References

None

CIS Controls

16.14 Encrypt/Hash All Authentication Files And Monitor Their Access - Verify that all authentication files are encrypted or hashed and that these files cannot be accessed without root or administrator privileges. Audit all access to password files in the system.

Profile

  • Level 1