STIGQter STIGQter: STIG Summary: Cloud Linux AlmaLinux OS 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

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

DISA Rule

SV-269266r1050148_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-269266

Group Title

SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Rule Version

ALMA-09-021030

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

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

Check Contents

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.

Vulnerability Number

V-269266

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ALMA-09-021030

Severity Override Guidance

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.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5664