Rule version TOSS-05-000165 · STIG v1 · 2026-08-20
The "/etc/passwd-" file is a backup file of "/etc/passwd", and as such, contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protecting this file is critical for system security.
Verify the ownership of the "/etc/passwd-" file using the following command:
$ sudo stat -c "%U %n" /etc/passwd-
root /etc/passwd-
If "/etc/passwd-" file does not have an owner of "root", this is a finding.
Change the owner of the file /etc/passwd- to root using the following command:
$ sudo chown root /etc/passwd-