There must be no .shosts files on AlmaLinux OS 9.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-269257	ALMA-09-020040	SV-269257r1050139_rule		Medium

Description

The .shosts files are used to configure host-based authentication for individual users or the system via SSH. Host-based authentication is not sufficient for preventing unauthorized access to the system, as it does not require interactive identification and authentication of a connection request, or for the use of two-factor authentication.

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

Details

Check Text (C-73288r1049398_chk)

Verify there are no ".shosts" files on AlmaLinux OS 9 with the following command:

$ find / -name .shosts

If a ".shosts" file is found, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-73189r1048148_fix)

Remove any found ".shosts" files from the system.

$ rm /[path]/[to]/[file]/.shosts