Verify permissions on System Login Banner

Description

To properly set the permissions of /etc/issue, run the command:

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/issue

Rationale

Display of a standardized and approved use notification before granting access to the operating system ensures privacy and security notification verbiage used is consistent with applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidance.

Proper permissions will ensure that only root user can modify the banner.

Remediation

Shell script

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

#!/bin/bash

chmod u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt /etc/issue

Ansible playbook

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

- name: Test for existence /etc/issue
  stat:
    path: /etc/issue
  register: file_exists
  tags:
  - configure_strategy
  - file_permissions_etc_issue
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure permission u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt on /etc/issue
  file:
    path: /etc/issue
    mode: u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt
  when: file_exists.stat is defined and file_exists.stat.exists
  tags:
  - configure_strategy
  - file_permissions_etc_issue
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed