The system must restrict the ability of users to assume excessive privileges to members of a defined group and prevent unauthorized users from accessing administrative tools.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium | V-219973 | SRG-OS-000324 | SOL-11.1-040200 | SV-219973r958726_rule | 2026-02-19 | 3 |
Description
Allowing any user to elevate their privileges can allow them excessive control of the system tools.
ℹ️ Check
Verify the root user is configured as a role, rather than a normal user.
# userattr type root
If the command does not return the word "role", this is a finding.
Verify at least one local user has been assigned the root role.
# grep '[:;]roles=root[^;]*' /etc/user_attr
If no lines are returned, or no users are permitted to assume the root role, this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
The root role is required.
Convert the root user into a role.
# usermod -K type=role root
Add the root role to authorized users' logins.
# usermod -R +root [username]
Remove the root role from users who should not be authorized to assume it.
# usermod -R -root [username]