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

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-269229	ALMA-09-016960	SV-269229r1050111_rule		Medium

Description

The "/etc/shadow" file contains the list of local system accounts and stores password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security. Failure to give ownership of this file to root provides the designated owner with access to sensitive information, which could weaken the system security posture.

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

Details

Check Text (C-73260r1048063_chk)

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

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

root /etc/shadow

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

Fix Text (F-73161r1048064_fix)

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

$ chgrp root /etc/shadow