NixOS must require users to reauthenticate when changing roles.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium | V-268156 | SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227 | ANIX-00-001510 | SV-268156r1131116_rule | 2025-08-19 | 1 |
Description
Without reauthentication, users may access resources or perform tasks for which they do not have authorization.
When operating systems provide the capability to change security roles, it is critical the user reauthenticate.
ℹ️ Check
Verify NixOS requires users to reauthenticate when changing roles with the following command:
$ grep -iR "%wheel" /etc/sudoers
%wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) SETENV: ALL
If the returned line contains "NOPASSWD", this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
Configure NixOS to require reauthentication for sudo.
Add the following Nix code to the NixOS Configuration, usually located in /etc/nixos/configuration.nix or /etc/nixos/flake.nix:
security.sudo.wheelNeedsPassword = true;
Rebuild and switch to the new NixOS configuration:
$ sudo nixos-rebuild switch