AlmaLinux OS 9 /etc/group- file must be group owned by root.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-269191	ALMA-09-012670	SV-269191r1050073_rule		Medium

Description

The "/etc/group-" file is a backup file of "/etc/group", and as such, contains information regarding groups that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is important for system security.

STIG	Date
CloudLinux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2025-05-22

Details

Check Text (C-73222r1047949_chk)

Verify the group ownership of the "/etc/group-" file with the following command:

$ stat -c "%G %n" /etc/group-

root /etc/group-

If "/etc/group-" file does not have a group owner of "root", this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-73123r1047950_fix)

Change the group of the file /etc/group- to root by running the following command:

$ chgrp root /etc/group-