Level 1 - Server Level 1 - Workstation
The owner of a file can set the file's permissions to run with the owner's or group's permissions, even if the user running the program is not the owner or a member of the group. The most common reason for a SUID program is to enable users to perform functions (such as changing their password) that require root privileges..
There are valid reasons for SUID programs, but it is important to identify and review such programs to ensure they are legitimate.
Run the following command to list SUID files:
# df --local -P | awk {'if (NR!=1) print $6'} | xargs -I '{}' find '{}' -xdev -type f -perm -4000
The command above only searches local filesystems, there may still be compromised items on network mounted partitions. Additionally the –local option to df is not universal to all versions, it can be omitted to search all filesystems on a system including network mounted filesystems or the following command can be run manually for each partition:
# find <partition> -xdev -type f -perm -4000
Ensure that no rogue SUID programs have been introduced into the system. Review the files returned by the action in the Audit section and confirm the integrity of these binaries.