There must be no .shosts files on AlmaLinux OS 9.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-269257SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227ALMA-09-020040SV-269257r1050139_rule2026-02-271

Description

The .shosts files are used to configure host-based authentication for individual users or the system via SSH. Host-based authentication is not sufficient for preventing unauthorized access to the system, as it does not require interactive identification and authentication of a connection request, or for the use of two-factor authentication.

ℹ️ Check

Verify there are no ".shosts" files on AlmaLinux OS 9 with the following command: $ find / -name .shosts If a ".shosts" file is found, this is a finding.

✔️ Fix

Remove any found ".shosts" files from the system. $ rm /[path]/[to]/[file]/.shosts