STIGQter: STIG Summary: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 2 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

RHEL 10 must enforce mode "0644" or less permissive for the "/etc/passwd" file to prevent unauthorized access.

DISA Rule

SV-281070r1165565_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-281070

Group Title

SRG-OS-000080-GPOS-00048

Rule Version

RHEL-10-400265

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000213 - Enforce approved authorizations for logical access to information and system resources in accordance with applicable access control policies.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure RHEL 10 so that the mode of the file "/etc/passwd" is set to "0644" by running the following command:

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/passwd

Check Contents

Verify RHEL 10 is configured so 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-281070

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-10-400265

Severity Override Guidance

Verify RHEL 10 is configured so 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

5733