AIX time synchronization configuration file must have mode 0640 or less permissive.

A synchronized system clock is critical for the enforcement of time-based policies and the correlation of logs and audit records with other systems. If an illicit time source is used for synchronization, the integrity of system logs and the security of the system could be compromised. File permissions more permissive than 0640 for time synchronization configuration file may allow access and change the config file by system intruders or malicious users, could result in the failure of time synchronization.

Determine the mode of the ntp.conf file: # ls -l /etc/ntp.conf

The above command should yield the following output: -rw-r----- 1 root system 993 Aug 25 18:26 /etc/ntp.conf

If the mode is more permissive than "0640", this is a finding.

Change the mode of the "ntp.conf" file to "0640" or less permissive: # chmod 0640 /etc/ntp.conf