I agree, it was surprising to me as well. The rationale given is just this:
``` It is critical to ensure that the /etc/passwd- file is protected from unauthorized access. Although it is protected by default, the file permissions could be changed either inadvertently or through malicious actions. ``` If you are interested, you can download the guide at http://workbench.cisecurity.org (I don't recall the specific terms I clicked through when I downloaded it, but I don't think I'm allowed to post it here, even though anyone can download it directly for $0) -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Touch seeded packages, which is subscribed to shadow in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1923262 Title: backup /etc/passwd- file should be mode 0600 Status in shadow package in Ubuntu: Incomplete Bug description: CIS hardening benchmarks (6.1.6) suggest that the /etc/passwd- file should be mode 0600 (or more restrictive). However, this file is 0644 after it is created when the /etc/passwd file is modified. (Ie, a hardening script that creates a hardened system for initial use could change this mode, but it will go out of compliance the next time a backup file is made.) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/shadow/+bug/1923262/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages Post to : touch-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~touch-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
