Verify User Who Owns group File

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Description

To properly set the owner of /etc/group, run the command:

$ sudo chown root /etc/group

Rationale

The /etc/group file contains information regarding groups that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is important for system security.

Remediation

Shell script

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

#!/bin/bash

chown -L 0 /etc/group

Ansible playbook

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

- name: Test for existence /etc/group
  stat:
    path: /etc/group
  register: file_exists
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.5.2.2
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.7.c
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_owner_etc_group
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure owner 0 on /etc/group
  file:
    path: /etc/group
    owner: '0'
  when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.5.2.2
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.7.c
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - configure_strategy
  - file_owner_etc_group
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed