RHEL 9 /etc/gshadow file must be group-owned by root.

STIG ID: RHEL-09-232115  |  SRG: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227 |  Severity: medium |  CCI: CCI-000366 |  Vulnerability Id: V-257903 | 

Vulnerability Discussion

The "/etc/gshadow" file contains group password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Check

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

$ sudo stat -c "%G %n" /etc/gshadow

root /etc/gshadow

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

Fix

Change the group of the file /etc/gshadow to root by running the following command:

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/gshadow