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

If the "/etc/passwd" file is writable by a group-owner or the world the risk of its compromise is increased.

The file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information, and 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-269225

Rule

SV-269225r1050107_rule

Severity

medium

Rule Version

ALMA-09-016520

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 119 of 439 in the Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 STIG checklist

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