AlmaLinux OS 9 /etc/passwd file must be group-owned by root.

The "/etc/passwd" file contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

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

$ stat -c "%G %n" /etc/passwd 

root /etc/passwd

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

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

$ chgrp root /etc/passwd