cis-cassandra5-1-1

name	cis-cassandra5-1.1
description	Ensure a separate user and group exist for Cassandra
category	cis-cassandra
version	1.1.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","cassandra","linux","database","nosql","installation","access-control"]
cis_id	1.1
cis_benchmark	CIS Apache Cassandra 5.0 Benchmark v1.1.0
tech_stack	["linux","cassandra"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

Ensure a separate user and group exist for Cassandra (Manual)

Profile Applicability

• Level 1 - Cassandra on Linux

Description

Create separate userid and group for Cassandra.

Rationale

All processes need to run as a user with least privilege. This mitigates the potential impact of malware to the system.

Impact

None

Audit Procedure

Logon to the server where Cassandra is installed.

To confirm existence of the group, execute the following command:

$ getent group | grep cassandra

To confirm existence of the user, execute the following command:

$ getent passwd | grep cassandra

If either the group or user do not exist, or if the user is not a member of the group, this is a finding.

Remediation

Create a group for cassandra (if it does not already exist):

sudo groupadd cassandra

Create a user which is only used for running Cassandra and its related processes:

sudo useradd -m -d /home/cassandra -s /bin/bash -g cassandra -u <USERID_NUMBER> cassandra

Replacing <USERID_NUMBER> with a number not already used on the server.

Default Value

No default user or group for Cassandra is created during installation.

References

• http://cassandra.apache.org/doc/latest/getting_started/installing.html

CIS Controls

Controls Version	Control	IG 1	IG 2	IG 3
v8	3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists Configure data access control lists based on a user's need to know. Apply data access control lists, also known as access permissions, to local and remote file systems, databases, and applications.	●	●	●
v8	5.4 Restrict Administrator Privileges to Dedicated Administrator Accounts Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and productivity suite use, from the user's primary, non-privileged account.