OL 9 SSH public host key files must have mode 0644 or less permissive.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-271772 | OL09-00-002503 | SV-271772r1092028_rule | Medium |
| Description |
| If a public host key file is modified by an unauthorized user, the SSH service may be compromised. |
| STIG | Date |
| Oracle Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-08 |
Details
| Check Text (C-75822r1092026_chk) |
| Verify that OL 9 SSH public host key files have a mode of "0644" or less permissive with the following command: Note: SSH public key files may be found in other directories on the system depending on the installation. $ sudo stat -c "%a %n" /etc/ssh/*.pub 644 /etc/ssh/ssh_host_dsa_key.pub 644 /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key.pub 644 /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key.pub 644 /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key.pub If any key.pub file has a mode more permissive than "0644", this is a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-75729r1092027_fix) |
| Change the mode of public host key files under "/etc/ssh" to "0644" with the following command: $ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/ssh/*key.pub Restart the SSH daemon for the changes to take effect: $ sudo systemctl restart sshd.service |