cis-gcp-cos-6-1-1

name	cis-gcp-cos-6.1.1
description	Ensure permissions on /etc/passwd are configured
category	cis-gcp-cos
version	1.2.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","gcp","container-optimized-os","file-permissions","passwd","system-files"]
cis_id	6.1.1
cis_benchmark	CIS Google Container-Optimized OS Benchmark v1.2.0
tech_stack	["gcp","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

6.1.1 Ensure permissions on /etc/passwd are configured (Automated)

Description

The /etc/passwd file contains user account information that is used by many system utilities and therefore must be readable for these utilities to operate.

Rationale

It is critical to ensure that the /etc/passwd file is protected from unauthorized write access. Although it is protected by default, the file permissions could be changed either inadvertently or through malicious actions.

Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify Uid and Gid are both 0/root and Access is 644:

# stat /etc/passwd
Access: (0644/-rw-r--r--)  Uid: (    0/    root)   Gid: (    0/    root)

Expected Result

Uid and Gid should both be 0/root and Access should be 644.

Remediation

Run the following command to set permissions on /etc/passwd:

# chown root:root /etc/passwd
# chmod 644 /etc/passwd

CIS Controls

Controls Version	Control	IG 1	IG 2	IG 3
v8	3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists	x	x	x
v7	16.4 Encrypt or Hash all Authentication Credentials		x	x

Profile

• Level 1 - Server