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0079-issue-priv - Ensure issue Permissions (-rw-r--r--)


Rule ID

  • 0079-issue-priv

Category

  • system

Level

  • warn

Compatible Versions

  • Linux

Description

  • The contents of the /etc/issue file are displayed to users before logging in at the local terminal.

Scan Frequency

  • 1 */5 * * *

Rationale

  • If the /etc/issue file does not have proper ownership, unauthorized users may modify it with incorrect or misleading information.

Risk Items

  • Hacker infiltration
  • Data leakage
  • Cryptojacking risk
  • Botnet risk

Audit Method

  • Run the following command and verify that the Uid and Gid are both 0/root, and Access is 644:
# stat /etc/issue
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)

Remediation

  • Run the following commands to set the permissions on /etc/issue:
# chown root:root /etc/issue
# chmod u-x,go-wx /etc/issue

Impact

  • None

Default Value

  • None

References

CIS Controls

  • Version 7
    14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists
    Protect all information stored on systems with file system, network share, claims, application, or database-specific access control lists. These controls enforce the principle that only authorized individuals should have access to the information that is necessary for them to perform their job duties.

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