Ensure permissions on /etc/shadow- are configuredID: oval:org.secpod.oval:def:70779 | Date: (C)2021-04-07 (M)2023-09-01 |
Class: COMPLIANCE | Family: unix |
The /etc/shadow file is used to store the information about user accounts that is critical to the security of those accounts, such as the hashed password and other security information.
Rationale:
If attackers can gain read access to the /etc/shadow file, they can easily run a password cracking program against the hashed password to break it. Other security information that is stored in the /etc/shadow file (such as expiration) could also be useful to subvert the user accounts.