STIGQter STIGQter: STIG Summary: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 9 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

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

DISA Rule

SV-257895r991589_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-257895

Group Title

SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Rule Version

RHEL-09-232075

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

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

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/passwd

Check Contents

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

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

644 /etc/passwd

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

Vulnerability Number

V-257895

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-09-232075

Severity Override Guidance

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

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

644 /etc/passwd

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

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5551