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

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-257911SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227RHEL-09-232155SV-257911r991589_rule2025-02-272
Description
The "/etc/shadow" file stores password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.
ℹ️ Check
Verify the group ownership of the "/etc/shadow" file with the following command: $ sudo stat -c "%G %n" /etc/shadow root /etc/shadow If "/etc/shadow" file does not have a group owner of "root", this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
Change the group of the file /etc/shadow to root by running the following command: $ sudo chgrp root /etc/shadow