Amazon Linux 2023 Security Technical Implementation Guide

The Amazon Linux 2023 Security Technical Implementation Guide (V1 R5) has 187 STIG checks. New to STIG checklists? Read What is a STIG checklist?, CKL vs CKLB, and STIG vs SCAP benchmark.

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Severity

Version

V1 · R5

CurrentPublished Wed Sep 30 2026

Amazon Linux 2023 must restrict the use of the "su" command.

Amazon Linux 2023 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Assessment Title

Rule Text

Amazon Linux 2023 must restrict the use of the "su" command.

Description

Discussion Text

The "su" program allows to run commands with a substitute user and group ID. It is commonly used to run commands as the root user. Limiting access to such commands is considered a good security practice.

New to STIG checklists? Read What is a STIG checklist? and CKL vs CKLB.

Objective

V-274151

Rule

SV-274151r1120441_rule

Severity

medium

Rule Version

AZLX-23-002440

Documentable

false

IA Controls

NIST SP 800-53

Rev 5

Assessment Procedure

Check Text

Verify Amazon Linux 2023 requires uses to be members of the "wheel" group with the following command:

$ grep pam_wheel /etc/pam.d/su 
auth required pam_wheel.so use_uid 

If a line for "pam_wheel.so" does not exist, or is commented out, this is a finding.

Implementation Procedure

Fix Text

Configure Amazon Linux 2023 to require users to be in the "wheel" group to run "su" command.

In file "/etc/pam.d/su", uncomment the following line:

"#auth required pam_wheel.so use_uid"

$ sudo sed '/^[[:space:]]*#[[:space:]]*auth[[:space:]]\+required[[:space:]]\+pam_wheel\.so[[:space:]]\+use_uid$/s/^[[:space:]]*#//' -i /etc/pam.d/su

If necessary, create a "wheel" group and add administrative users to the group.

STIG check 148 of 187 in the Amazon Linux 2023 STIG checklist

← Previous · V-274150Amazon Linux 2023 must automatically expire temporary accounts within 72 hours.Next · V-274152 →Amazon Linux 2023 must enable the SELinux targeted policy.