4.1.7 Ensure permissions on /etc/cron.d are configured

Information

The /etc/cron.d directory contains system cron jobs that need to run in a similar manner to the hourly, daily weekly and monthly jobs from /etc/crontab but require more granular control as to when they run. The files in this directory cannot be manipulated by the crontab command, but are instead edited by system administrators using a text editor. The commands below restrict read/write and search access to user and group root, preventing regular users from accessing this directory.

Note: Other methods, such as systemd timers exist for scheduling jobs. If another method is used, cron should be removed, and the alternate method should be secured in accordance with local site policy

Granting write access to this directory for non-privileged users could provide them the means for gaining unauthorized elevated privileges. Granting read access to this directory could give an unprivileged user insight in how to gain elevated privileges or circumvent auditing controls.

Solution

Run the following commands to set ownership and permissions on the /etc/cron.d directory:

# chown root:root /etc/cron.d/
# chmod og-rwx /etc/cron.d/

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/13775