| name | cis-gcp-cos-5.1.3 |
| description | Ensure permissions on SSH public host key files are configured |
| category | cis-gcp-cos |
| version | 1.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["cis","gcp","container-optimized-os","ssh","sshd","permissions","authentication"] |
| cis_id | 5.1.3 |
| cis_benchmark | CIS Google Container-Optimized OS Benchmark v1.2.0 |
| tech_stack | ["gcp","linux"] |
| cwe_ids | [] |
| chains_with | [] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {} |
5.1.3 Ensure permissions on SSH public host key files are configured (Automated)
Description
An SSH public key is one of two files used in SSH public key authentication. In this authentication method, a public key is a key that can be used for verifying digital signatures generated using a corresponding private key. Only a public key that corresponds to a private key will be able to authenticate successfully.
Rationale
If a public host key file is modified by an unauthorized user, the SSH service may be compromised.
Audit Procedure
Run the following command and verify Access does not grant write or execute permissions to group or other for all returned files:
File: '/etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key.pub'
Size: 382 Blocks: 8 IO Block: 4096 regular file
Device: ca01h/51713d Inode: 8631758 Links: 1
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
Access: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.861750616 +0000
Modify: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.861750616 +0000
Change: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.881750616 +0000
Birth: -
File: '/etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key.pub'
Size: 162 Blocks: 8 IO Block: 4096 regular file
Device: ca01h/51713d Inode: 8631761 Links: 1
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
Access: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.897750616 +0000
Modify: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.897750616 +0000
Change: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.917750616 +0000
Birth: -
File: '/etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key.pub'
Size: 82 Blocks: 8 IO Block: 4096 regular file
Device: ca01h/51713d Inode: 8631763 Links: 1
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--) Uid: ( 0/ root) Gid: ( 0/ root)
Access: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.945750616 +0000
Modify: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.945750616 +0000
Change: 2018-10-22 18:24:56.961750616 +0000
Birth: -
Expected Result
- All public host key files have
Uid of 0/root
- All public host key files have
Gid of 0/root
- Access is
0644/-rw-r--r-- (no write or execute for group or other)
Remediation
Run the following commands to set permissions and ownership on the SSH host public key files:
CIS Controls