Rule version TOSS-05-000162 · STIG v1 · 2026-08-20
The "/etc/gshadow-" file is a backup of "/etc/gshadow", and as such, contains group password hashes. Protecting this file is critical for system security.
Verify the group ownership of the "/etc/gshadow-" file using the following command:
$ sudo stat -c "%G %n" /etc/gshadow-
root /etc/gshadow-
If "/etc/gshadow-" file does not have a group owner of "root", this is a finding.
Change the group of the file /etc/gshadow- to root using the following command:
$ sudo chgrp root /etc/gshadow-