RHEL 9 /etc/shadow file must be group-owned by root.

STIG ID: RHEL-09-232155 |  SRG: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227 |  Severity: medium |  CCI:  | Vulnerability Id: V-257911

Vulnerability Discussion

The "/etc/shadow" file stores password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Check

Change the group of the file /etc/shadow to root by running the following command:

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/shadow

Fix

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

$ sudo stat -c "%G %n" /etc/shadow

root /etc/shadow

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