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 SSH public host key files must have mode 0644 or less permissive.

Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Assessment Title

Rule Text

AlmaLinux OS 9 SSH public host key files must have mode 0644 or less permissive.

Description

Discussion Text

If a public host key file is modified by an unauthorized user, the SSH service may be compromised.

Whilst public keys are publicly readable, they should not be writeable by nonowners.

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

Objective

V-269266

Rule

SV-269266r1050148_rule

Severity

medium

Rule Version

ALMA-09-021030

Documentable

false

IA Controls

NIST SP 800-53

Rev 5

Assessment Procedure

Check Text

Verify the SSH public host key files have a mode of "0644" or less permissive with the following command:

Note: SSH public key files may be found in other directories on the system depending on the installation.

$ stat -c "%#a %n" /etc/ssh/ssh_host*key.pub

0644 /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key.pub
0644 /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key.pub

If any public key has a mode more permissive than "0644", this is a finding.

Implementation Procedure

Fix Text

Change the mode of public host key files under "/etc/ssh" to "0644" with the following command:

$ chmod 0644 /etc/ssh/*key.pub

Restart the SSH daemon for the changes to take effect:

$ systemctl restart sshd.service

STIG check 159 of 439 in the Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 STIG checklist

← Previous · V-269265AlmaLinux OS 9 SSH private host key files must have mode 0600 or less permissive.Next · V-269267 →AlmaLinux OS 9 SSH daemon must not allow known hosts authentication.