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

STIG ID: RHEL-09-232160 |  SRG: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227 |  Severity: medium |  CCI:  | Vulnerability Id: V-257912

Vulnerability Discussion

The "/etc/shadow-" file is a backup file of "/etc/shadow", and as such, contains the list of local system accounts and password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Check

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

$ sudo chown root /etc/shadow-

Fix

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

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

root /etc/shadow-

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