Verify User Who Owns shadow File
Description
To properly set the owner of /etc/shadow, run the command:
$ sudo chown root /etc/shadow
Rationale
The /etc/shadow file contains the list of local
system accounts and stores password hashes. Protection of this file is
critical for system security. Failure to give ownership of this file
to root provides the designated owner with access to sensitive information
which could weaken the system security posture.
Shell script
The following script can be run on the host to remediate the issue.
Ansible playbook
The following playbook can be run with Ansible to remediate the issue.
- name: Test for existence /etc/shadow
stat:
path: /etc/shadow
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-DSSv4-7.2.6
- configure\_strategy
- file\_owner\_etc\_shadow
- low\_complexity
- low\_disruption
- medium\_severity
- no\_reboot\_needed
- name: Ensure owner 0 on /etc/shadow
file:
path: /etc/shadow
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-DSSv4-7.2.6
- configure\_strategy
- file\_owner\_etc\_shadow
- low\_complexity
- low\_disruption
- medium\_severity
- no\_reboot\_needed
