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 be owned by root.

DISA Rule

SV-257906r991589_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-257906

Group Title

SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Rule Version

RHEL-09-232130

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Change the owner of the file /etc/passwd to root by running the following command:

$ sudo chown root /etc/passwd

Check Contents

Verify the ownership of the "/etc/passwd" file with the following command:

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

root /etc/passwd

If "/etc/passwd" file does not have an owner of "root", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-257906

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-09-232130

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the ownership of the "/etc/passwd" file with the following command:

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

root /etc/passwd

If "/etc/passwd" file does not have an owner of "root", this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5551