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cis-ubuntu1804-v220-6-1-9

DevOps & Security
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Ensure permissions on /etc/security/opasswd are configured

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6.1.9 Ensure permissions on /etc/security/opasswd are configured (Automated)

Profile

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 1 - Workstation

Description

/etc/security/opasswd and its backup /etc/security/opasswd.old hold user's previous passwords if pam_unix or pam_pwhistory is in use on the system.

Rationale

It is critical to ensure that /etc/security/opasswd is protected from unauthorized access. Although it is protected by default, the file permissions could be changed either inadvertently or through malicious actions.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following commands to verify /etc/security/opasswd and /etc/security/opasswd.old are mode 600 or more restrictive, Uid is 0/root and Gid is 0/root if they exist:

# [ -e "/etc/security/opasswd" ] && stat -Lc '%n Access: (%#a/%A) Uid: ( %u/ %U) Gid: ( %g/ %G)' /etc/security/opasswd

# [ -e "/etc/security/opasswd.old" ] && stat -Lc '%n Access: (%#a/%A) Uid: ( %u/ %U) Gid: ( %g/ %G)' /etc/security/opasswd.old

Expected Result

/etc/security/opasswd Access: (0600/-rw-------) Gid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
  -OR-
Nothing is returned

/etc/security/opasswd.old Access: (0600/-rw-------) Gid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
  -OR-
Nothing is returned

Remediation

Command Line

Run the following commands to remove excess permissions, set owner, and set group on /etc/security/opasswd and /etc/security/opasswd.old if they exist:

# [ -e "/etc/security/opasswd" ] && chmod u-x,go-rwx /etc/security/opasswd
# [ -e "/etc/security/opasswd" ] && chown root:root /etc/security/opasswd
# [ -e "/etc/security/opasswd.old" ] && chmod u-x,go-rwx /etc/security/opasswd.old
# [ -e "/etc/security/opasswd.old" ] && chown root:root /etc/security/opasswd.old

Default Value

/etc/security/opasswd Access: (0600/-rw-------) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)

References

  1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: AC-3, MP-2

CIS Controls

  • v8: 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists
  • v7: 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists