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/shadow file must have mode 0000 to prevent unauthorized access.

DISA Rule

SV-257934r991589_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-257934

Group Title

SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Rule Version

RHEL-09-232270

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Change the mode of the file "/etc/shadow" to "0000" by running the following command:

$ sudo chmod 0000 /etc/shadow

Check Contents

Verify that the "/etc/shadow" file has mode "0000" with the following command:

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

0 /etc/shadow

If a value of "0" is not returned, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-257934

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-09-232270

Severity Override Guidance

Verify that the "/etc/shadow" file has mode "0000" with the following command:

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

0 /etc/shadow

If a value of "0" is not returned, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5551