Understanding Configuration Files and Access Restrictions
Question
A security analyst is troubleshooting a scenario in which an operator should only be allowed to reboot remote hosts but not perform other activities.
The analyst inspects the following portions of different configuration files: Configuration file 1: Operator ALL=/sbin/reboot - Configuration file 2: Command='/sbin/shutdown now', no-x11-forwarding, no-pty, ssh-dss Configuration file 3: Operator:x:1000:1000::/home/operator:/bin/bash Which of the following explains why an intended operator cannot perform the intended action?
Answers
Explanations
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A. B. C. D.D.
The configuration files provided suggest that the intended operator should be able to reboot remote hosts but not perform other activities.
Configuration file 1 shows that the operator has been granted the sudo privilege to run the "/sbin/reboot" command, which allows them to reboot the remote hosts.
Configuration file 2 shows the command restrictions for the SSH session. It specifies that the operator is not allowed to forward X11 sessions and not allowed to allocate a pseudo-terminal. It also specifies that the operator can run the "/sbin/shutdown now" command, which is not the intended action.
Configuration file 3 shows the user account details for the operator, including their username, group ID, home directory, and default shell.
Based on this information, the issue appears to be with the SSH command shell restrictions in Configuration file 2. The operator is not allowed to allocate a pseudo-terminal, which is required to execute the sudo command. The sudo command requires a terminal (pty) to function correctly, and without it, the operator will not be able to run the "/sbin/reboot" command. Therefore, option D, "The SSH command is not allowing a pty session," is the correct answer.
Option A, "The sudoers file is locked down to an incorrect command," is incorrect because Configuration file 1 shows that the sudoers file is correctly configured to allow the operator to run the "/sbin/reboot" command.
Option B, "SSH command shell restrictions are misconfigured," is partly correct, as the SSH command shell restrictions are misconfigured to disallow pty allocation. However, it is not entirely accurate to say that the restrictions are misconfigured since they are intended to limit the operator's access.
Option C, "The passwd file is misconfigured," is not relevant to the issue at hand, as Configuration file 3 shows that the user account details for the operator are correctly configured.
