AlmaLinux OS 9 /etc/passwd file must be owned by root.

STIG ID: ALMA-09-016410 |  SRG: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227 |  Severity: medium |  CCI:  | Vulnerability Id: V-269224

Vulnerability Discussion

The "/etc/passwd" file contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Check

Change the owner of the file /etc/passwd to root by running the following command:

$ chown root /etc/passwd

Fix

Verify the ownership of the "/etc/passwd" file with the following command:

$ stat -c "%U %n" /etc/passwd

root /etc/passwd

If "/etc/passwd" file does not have an owner of "root", this is a finding.