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

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-257907SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227RHEL-09-232135SV-257907r991589_rule2025-02-272
Description
The "/etc/passwd" file contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.
ℹ️ Check
Verify the group ownership of the "/etc/passwd" file with the following command: $ sudo 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.
✔️ Fix
Change the group of the file /etc/passwd to root by running the following command: $ sudo chgrp root /etc/passwd