Verify User Who Owns gshadow File

Description

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

$ sudo chown root /etc/gshadow

Rationale

The /etc/gshadow file contains group password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Remediation

Shell script

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

#!/bin/bash

chown 0 /etc/gshadow

Ansible playbook

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

- name: Test for existence /etc/gshadow
  stat:
    path: /etc/gshadow
  register: file_exists
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - configure_strategy
  - file_owner_etc_gshadow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure owner 0 on /etc/gshadow
  file:
    path: /etc/gshadow
    owner: '0'
  when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-AC-6(1)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - configure_strategy
  - file_owner_etc_gshadow
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed