Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide

The Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide (V1 R8) has 439 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 · R8

CurrentPublished Wed Sep 30 2026

AlmaLinux OS 9 /etc/passwd- file must have mode 0644 or less permissive to prevent unauthorized access.

Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Assessment Title

Rule Text

AlmaLinux OS 9 /etc/passwd- file must have mode 0644 or less permissive to prevent unauthorized access.

Description

Discussion Text

The "/etc/passwd-" file is a backup file of "/etc/passwd", and as such, contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

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

Objective

V-269222

Rule

SV-269222r1050104_rule

Severity

medium

Rule Version

ALMA-09-016190

Documentable

false

IA Controls

NIST SP 800-53

Rev 5

Assessment Procedure

Check Text

Verify that the "/etc/passwd-" file has mode "0644" or less permissive with the following command:

$ stat -c "%#a %n" /etc/passwd-

0644 /etc/passwd-

If a value of "0644" or less permissive is not returned, this is a finding.

Implementation Procedure

Fix Text

Change the mode of the file "/etc/passwd-" to "0644" by running the following command:

$ chmod 0644 /etc/passwd-

STIG check 116 of 439 in the Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 STIG checklist

← Previous · V-269221AlmaLinux OS 9 /etc/passwd- file must be owned by root.Next · V-269223 →AlmaLinux OS 9 /etc/passwd file must be group-owned by root.