# yaml-language-server: $schema=../../../../schema/control.schema.json
id: CB-UBU-AUTH-004
title: Install sudo for administrative access
finding:
  title: sudo is not installed
  description: Without sudo, administrators share the root password or log in as root, and their actions cannot be traced to a person.
status: active
profiles: [core]
risk:
  severity: medium
assessment: automated
tags: [sudo, privilege-escalation, accountability]

description: |
  `sudo` lets authorized users run commands as root (or another user) with their own password,
  according to rules in `/etc/sudoers` and `/etc/sudoers.d/`. Every command is logged with the
  name of the user who ran it.
rationale: |
  Administration through personal accounts and sudo replaces a shared root password, gives each
  administrator only the rights they need, and leaves an audit trail that names who did what.
impact: |
  None known. Ubuntu installs sudo on every server, desktop and cloud image.
notes: |
  Since Ubuntu 25.10, the `sudo` command is provided by `sudo-rs`, a reimplementation in Rust,
  selected through the `sudo` alternative; the original `sudo` package stays installed. Either
  package meets this control.

audit:
  manual: |
    Run `dpkg -s sudo sudo-rs`. At least one of the two packages must be installed.
  logic: any
  checks:
    - id: package
      engine: package
      description: The sudo package is installed.
      spec: { name: sudo, state: installed }
    - id: package-rs
      engine: package
      description: The sudo-rs package is installed.
      spec: { name: sudo-rs, state: installed }

remediation:
  manual: |
    Run `apt install sudo`, then grant administrators access by adding them to the `sudo` group.
  effects:
    restart: none
    disruption: none
    lockout_risk: false
  scripts:
    - id: install
      from_check: package

references:
  - title: sudo(8), Ubuntu manual pages
    url: https://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/noble/man8/sudo.8.html
    publisher: Canonical
    kind: vendor-doc
    accessed: 2026-10-19
  - title: sudo-rs(8), Ubuntu manual pages
    url: https://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/noble/man8/sudo-rs.8.html
    publisher: Canonical
    kind: vendor-doc
    accessed: 2026-10-19
  - title: ANSSI-BP-028 v2.0 - Recommandations de configuration d'un système GNU/Linux (R33)
    url: https://messervices.cyber.gouv.fr/documents-guides/fr_np_linux_configuration-v2.0.pdf
    publisher: ANSSI
    kind: guide
    accessed: 2026-10-19
mappings:
  - framework: anssi-linux
    framework_version: "2.0"
    id: R33
    relation: partial
    note: R33 asks for accountable administration; sudo is the means.
  - framework: nist-800-53r5
    framework_version: "5.1.1"
    id: AC-6
    relation: related
  - framework: cis-ubuntu-2004
    framework_version: "3.0.0"
    id: "5.2.1"
    relation: equivalent
  - framework: cis-ubuntu-2204
    framework_version: "3.0.0"
    id: "5.2.1"
    relation: equivalent
  - framework: cis-ubuntu-2404
    framework_version: "2.0.0"
    id: "5.2.1"
    relation: equivalent
  - framework: cis-ubuntu-2604
    framework_version: "1.0.0"
    id: "5.2.1"
    relation: equivalent
threats:
  - framework: mitre-attack
    id: T1078.003

authors:
  - name: Alice
    github: Sn0wAlice
verified:
  - date: 2026-10-19
    by: Sn0wAlice
    versions: ["20.04"]
    environment: Proxmox VM, Ubuntu 20.04 cloud image, kernel 5.4.0-216-generic
    notes: "Passes on a fresh install (sudo installed); profiles core and server-hardened."
  - date: 2026-10-19
    by: Sn0wAlice
    versions: ["22.04"]
    environment: Proxmox VM, Ubuntu 22.04 cloud image, kernel 5.15.0-198-generic
    notes: "Passes on a fresh install (sudo installed); profiles core and server-hardened."
  - date: 2026-10-19
    by: Sn0wAlice
    versions: ["24.04"]
    environment: Proxmox VM, Ubuntu 24.04 cloud image, kernel 6.8.0-147-generic
    notes: "Passes on a fresh install (sudo installed); profiles core and server-hardened."
  - date: 2026-10-19
    by: Sn0wAlice
    versions: ["26.04"]
    environment: Proxmox VM, Ubuntu 26.04 cloud image, kernel 7.0.0-38-generic
    notes: "Passes on a fresh install (sudo and sudo-rs installed, sudo-rs selected by the alternative); profiles core and server-hardened."
introduced_in: 0.1.0
created: 2026-10-19
updated: 2026-10-19