Verify permissions on Message of the Day Banner

Description

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

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/motd

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.

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

Ansible playbook

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

- name: Test for existence /etc/motd
 stat:
 path: /etc/motd
 register: file\_exists
 tags:
 - configure\_strategy
 - file\_permissions\_etc\_motd
 - low\_complexity
 - low\_disruption
 - medium\_severity
 - no\_reboot\_needed

- name: Ensure permission u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt on /etc/motd
 file:
 path: /etc/motd
 mode: u-xs,g-xws,o-xwt
 when: file\_exists.stat is defined and file\_exists.stat.exists
 tags:
 - configure\_strategy
 - file\_permissions\_etc\_motd
 - low\_complexity
 - low\_disruption
 - medium\_severity
 - no\_reboot\_needed