Ensure permissions on /etc/gshadow are configured

MediumLevel 1Manual reviewcos

Description

The /etc/gshadow file is used to store the information about groups that is critical to the security of those accounts, such as the hashed password and other security information. If attackers can gain read access to the /etc/gshadow file, they can easily run a password cracking program against the hashed password to break it. Other security information that is stored in the /etc/gshadow file (such as group administrators) could also be useful to subvert the group.

How it is checked

Audit method: Manual review

This recommendation cannot be checked automatically. A scan lists it with these instructions when you pass --include-manual.

Run the following command and verify Uid is 0/root, Gid is 0/root or <gid>/shadow, and Access is 640 or more restrictive: # stat /etc/gshadow Access: (0640/-rw-r-----) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Run the one of the following chown commands as appropriate and the chmod to set permissions on /etc/gshadow : # chown root:root /etc/gshadow # chown root:shadow /etc/gshadow # chmod o-rwx,g-rw /etc/gshadow

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: access-controlcontainer-optimized-oscos
Reference: CIS Google Container-Optimized OS Benchmark v1.2.0 - 6.1.4 Ensure permissions on /etc/gshadow are configured