Details

The sysctl.conf file specifies the values for kernel parameters to be set on boot. These settings can affect the system’s security.

Solution

Use the chown command to change the owner of /etc/sysctl.conf to root:
# chown root /etc/sysctl.conf

Supportive Information

The following resource is also helpful.

• http://iasecontent.disa.mil/stigs/zip/U_RedHat_5_V1R18_STIG.zip

This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: Access Control.This control applies to the following type of system Unix.

References

• 800-53|AC-6
• CAT|II
• CCI|CCI-000225
• CSCv6|3.1
• Group-ID|V-4334
• Rule-ID|SV-37253r1_rule
• STIG-ID|GEN000000-LNX00480
• Vuln-ID|V-4334

Source

• Tenable.com/audits