Any X Windows host must write .Xauthority files.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-216073 | SOL-11.1-020500 | SV-216073r959010_rule | Medium |
| Description |
| .Xauthority files ensure the user is authorized to access the specific X Windows host. If .Xauthority files are not used, it may be possible to obtain unauthorized access to the X Windows host. |
| STIG | Date |
| Solaris 11 X86 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-05 |
Details
| Check Text (C-17311r372601_chk) |
| If X Display Manager (XDM) is not used on the system, this is not applicable. Determine if XDM is running. Procedure: # ps -ef | grep xdm If X Display Manager (XDM) is not used on the system, this is not applicable. Determine if XDM is running. Procedure: # ps -ef | grep xdm Check for .Xauthority files being utilized by looking for such files in the home directory of a user that uses X. Procedure: # cd ~someuser # ls -la .Xauthority If the .Xauthority file does not exist, ask the SA if the user is using X Windows. If the user is utilizing X Windows and the .Xauthority file does not exist, this is a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-17309r372602_fix) |
| Ensure the X Windows host is configured to write .Xauthority files into user home directories. Edit the Xaccess file. Ensure the line that writes the .Xauthority file is uncommented. |