Verify User Who Owns /etc/cron.allow file

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Description

If /etc/cron.allow exists, it must be owned by root. To properly set the owner of /etc/cron.allow, run the command:

$ sudo chown root /etc/cron.allow

Rationale

If the owner of the cron.allow file is not set to root, the possibility exists for an unauthorized user to view or edit sensitive information.

Remediation

Shell script

The following script can be run on the host to remediate the issue.

#!/bin/bash

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if dpkg-query --show --showformat='${db:Status-Status}
' 'kernel' 2>/dev/null | grep -q installed; then

chown 0 /etc/cron.allow

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi

Ansible playbook

The following playbook can be run with Ansible to remediate the issue.

- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_owner_cron_allow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Test for existence /etc/cron.allow
  stat:
    path: /etc/cron.allow
  register: file_exists
  when: '"kernel" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_owner_cron_allow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure owner 0 on /etc/cron.allow
  file:
    path: /etc/cron.allow
    owner: '0'
  when:
  - '"kernel" in ansible_facts.packages'
  - file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_owner_cron_allow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed