Amazon Linux 2023 library directories must be group-owned by root or a system account.

If Amazon Linux 2023 were to allow any user to make changes to software libraries, then those changes might be implemented without undergoing the appropriate testing and approvals that are part of a robust change management process.

This requirement applies to operating systems with software libraries that are accessible and configurable, as in the case of interpreted languages. Software libraries also include privileged programs which execute with escalated privileges. Only qualified and authorized individuals shall be allowed to obtain access to information system components for purposes of initiating changes, including upgrades and modifications.

Verify Amazon Linux 2023 systemwide shared library directories are group-owned by "root" with the following command:

$ sudo find /lib /lib64 /usr/lib /usr/lib64 ! -group root -type d -exec stat -c "%n %G" '{}' \;

If any systemwide shared library directory is returned and is not group-owned by a required system account, this is a finding.

Configure Amazon Linux 2023 systemwide shared library directories (/lib, /lib64, /usr/lib and /usr/lib64) to be protected from unauthorized access.

Run the following command, replacing "[DIRECTORY]" with any library directory not group-owned by "root".

$ sudo chgrp root [DIRECTORY]