The /etc/gshadow file is used to store the information about groups that is critical to the security of those accounts, such as the hashed password and other security information Rationale: If attackers can gain read access to the /etc/gshadow file, they can easily run a password cracking program against the hashed password to break it. Other security information that is stored in the /etc/gshadow file (such as group administrators) could also be useful to subvert the group.