Rule version SOL-11.1-040270 · STIG v3 · 2026-08-19
The "mesg n" command blocks attempts to use the "write" or "talk" commands to contact users at their terminals, but has the side effect of slightly strengthening permissions on the user's TTY device.
Determine if "mesg n" is the default for users.
# grep "^mesg" /etc/.login
# grep "^mesg" /etc/profile
If either of these commands produces a line: mesg y
this is a finding.
For each existing user on the system, enter the command:
# mesg
If the command output is: is y
this is a finding.
The root role is required.
Edit the default profile configuration files.
# pfedit /etc/profile # pfedit /etc/.login
In each file add a new line:
mesg n
For each user on the system, enter the command:
# mesg n