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

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-269200	ALMA-09-013660	SV-269200r1050082_rule		Medium

Description

The "/etc/gshadow-" file is a backup of "/etc/gshadow", and as such, contains group password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

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

Details

Check Text (C-73231r1047976_chk)

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

$ 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.

Fix Text (F-73132r1047977_fix)

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

$ chgrp root /etc/gshadow-