Guide to the Secure Configuration of Ubuntu 22.04

with profile Standard System Security Profile for Ubuntu 22.04
This profile contains rules to ensure standard security baseline of an Ubuntu 22.04 system. Regardless of your system's workload all of these checks should pass.
This guide presents a catalog of security-relevant configuration settings for Ubuntu 22.04. It is a rendering of content structured in the eXtensible Configuration Checklist Description Format (XCCDF) in order to support security automation. The SCAP content is is available in the scap-security-guide package which is developed at https://www.open-scap.org/security-policies/scap-security-guide.

Providing system administrators with such guidance informs them how to securely configure systems under their control in a variety of network roles. Policy makers and baseline creators can use this catalog of settings, with its associated references to higher-level security control catalogs, in order to assist them in security baseline creation. This guide is a catalog, not a checklist, and satisfaction of every item is not likely to be possible or sensible in many operational scenarios. However, the XCCDF format enables granular selection and adjustment of settings, and their association with OVAL and OCIL content provides an automated checking capability. Transformations of this document, and its associated automated checking content, are capable of providing baselines that meet a diverse set of policy objectives. Some example XCCDF Profiles, which are selections of items that form checklists and can be used as baselines, are available with this guide. They can be processed, in an automated fashion, with tools that support the Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP). The DISA STIG, which provides required settings for US Department of Defense systems, is one example of a baseline created from this guidance.
Do not attempt to implement any of the settings in this guide without first testing them in a non-operational environment. The creators of this guidance assume no responsibility whatsoever for its use by other parties, and makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, about its quality, reliability, or any other characteristic.

Evaluation Characteristics

Evaluation targetP3tBoul3
Benchmark URLssg-ubuntu2204-ds.xml
Benchmark IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_benchmark_UBUNTU_22-04
Profile IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_profile_standard
Started at2025-05-13T14:32:51
Finished at2025-05-13T14:32:51
Performed byarthur

CPE Platforms

  • cpe:/o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:22.04::~~lts~~~

Addresses

  • IPv4  127.0.0.1
  • IPv4  10.6.7.114
  • IPv4  172.17.0.1
  • IPv6  0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1
  • IPv6  fe80:0:0:0:c2a7:4096:86c2:96a9
  • MAC  00:00:00:00:00:00
  • MAC  90:E8:68:59:AC:4F
  • MAC  02:42:02:F3:EF:56

Compliance and Scoring

The target system did not satisfy the conditions of 14 rules! Please review rule results and consider applying remediation.

Rule results

29 passed
14 failed
1 other

Severity of failed rules

1 other
5 low
7 medium
1 high

Score

Scoring systemScoreMaximumPercent
urn:xccdf:scoring:default33.888889100.000000
33.89%

Rule Overview

Group rules by:
TitleSeverityResult
Guide to the Secure Configuration of Ubuntu 22.04 14x fail 1x notchecked
System Settings 8x fail 1x notchecked
Installing and Maintaining Software 5x fail
Disk Partitioning 5x fail
Ensure /home Located On Separate Partitionlow
fail
Ensure /tmp Located On Separate Partitionlow
fail
Ensure /var Located On Separate Partitionlow
fail
Ensure /var/log Located On Separate Partitionlow
fail
Ensure /var/log/audit Located On Separate Partitionlow
fail
Account and Access Control 1x notchecked
Secure Session Configuration Files for Login Accounts 1x notchecked
Ensure users own their home directoriesmedium
notchecked
Configure Syslog 1x fail
Ensure Proper Configuration of Log Files
Ensure Log Files Are Owned By Appropriate Groupmedium
pass
Ensure Log Files Are Owned By Appropriate Usermedium
pass
Ensure System Log Files Have Correct Permissionsmedium
pass
Ensure All Logs are Rotated by logrotate 1x fail
Ensure Logrotate Runs Periodicallymedium
fail
Ensure rsyslog is Installedmedium
pass
Enable rsyslog Servicemedium
pass
File Permissions and Masks 2x fail
Verify Permissions on Important Files and Directories
Verify Group Who Owns group Filemedium
pass
Verify Group Who Owns gshadow Filemedium
pass
Verify Group Who Owns passwd Filemedium
pass
Verify Group Who Owns shadow Filemedium
pass
Verify User Who Owns group Filemedium
pass
Verify User Who Owns gshadow Filemedium
pass
Verify User Who Owns passwd Filemedium
pass
Verify User Who Owns shadow Filemedium
pass
Verify Permissions on group Filemedium
pass
Verify Permissions on gshadow Filemedium
pass
Verify Permissions on passwd Filemedium
pass
Verify Permissions on shadow Filemedium
pass
Verify Permissions on System.map Fileslow
pass
Restrict Programs from Dangerous Execution Patterns 2x fail
Disable Core Dumps 1x fail
Disable Core Dumps for SUID programsmedium
fail
Enable ExecShield 1x fail
Enable Randomized Layout of Virtual Address Spacemedium
fail
Services 5x fail
Apport Service 1x fail
Disable Apport Serviceunknown
fail
Cron and At Daemons
Install the cron servicemedium
pass
Enable cron Servicemedium
pass
Deprecated services
Uninstall the inet-based telnet serverhigh
pass
Uninstall the nis packagelow
pass
Uninstall the ntpdate packagelow
pass
Uninstall the ssl compliant telnet serverhigh
pass
Uninstall the telnet serverhigh
pass
Network Time Protocol
Install the systemd_timesyncd Servicehigh
pass
Enable systemd_timesyncd Servicehigh
pass
SSH Server 4x fail
Configure OpenSSH Server if Necessary 4x fail
Set SSH Client Alive Count Maxmedium
fail
Set SSH Client Alive Intervalmedium
fail
Disable SSH Access via Empty Passwordshigh
fail
Disable SSH Root Loginmedium
fail
System Accounting with auditd 1x fail
Ensure the audit Subsystem is Installedmedium
fail
Enable auditd Servicemedium
notapplicable

Result Details

Ensure /home Located On Separate Partitionxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_home low

Ensure /home Located On Separate Partition

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_home
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitylow
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 15, 8, APO13.01, DSS05.02, CCI-000366, CCI-001208, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 7.1, SR 7.6, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, CM-6(a), SC-5(2), PR.PT-4, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 1.1.7.1, R28

Description

If user home directories will be stored locally, create a separate partition for /home at installation time (or migrate it later using LVM). If /home will be mounted from another system such as an NFS server, then creating a separate partition is not necessary at installation time, and the mountpoint can instead be configured later.

Rationale

Ensuring that /home is mounted on its own partition enables the setting of more restrictive mount options, and also helps ensure that users cannot trivially fill partitions used for log or audit data storage.

Ensure /tmp Located On Separate Partitionxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_tmp low

Ensure /tmp Located On Separate Partition

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_tmp
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitylow
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 15, 8, APO13.01, DSS05.02, CCI-000366, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 7.1, SR 7.6, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, CM-6(a), SC-5(2), PR.PT-4, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 1.1.2.1

Description

The /tmp directory is a world-writable directory used for temporary file storage. Ensure it has its own partition or logical volume at installation time, or migrate it using LVM.

Rationale

The /tmp partition is used as temporary storage by many programs. Placing /tmp in its own partition enables the setting of more restrictive mount options, which can help protect programs which use it.

Ensure /var Located On Separate Partitionxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_var low

Ensure /var Located On Separate Partition

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_var
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitylow
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 15, 8, APO13.01, DSS05.02, CCI-000366, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 7.1, SR 7.6, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, CM-6(a), SC-5(2), PR.PT-4, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 1.1.3.1, R28

Description

The /var directory is used by daemons and other system services to store frequently-changing data. Ensure that /var has its own partition or logical volume at installation time, or migrate it using LVM.

Rationale

Ensuring that /var is mounted on its own partition enables the setting of more restrictive mount options. This helps protect system services such as daemons or other programs which use it. It is not uncommon for the /var directory to contain world-writable directories installed by other software packages.

Ensure /var/log Located On Separate Partitionxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_var_log low

Ensure /var/log Located On Separate Partition

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_var_log
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitylow
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 12, 14, 15, 16, 3, 5, 6, 8, APO11.04, APO13.01, BAI03.05, DSS05.02, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, MEA02.01, CCI-000366, 4.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 7.1, SR 7.6, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.7.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, CIP-007-3 R6.5, CM-6(a), AU-4, SC-5(2), PR.PT-1, PR.PT-4, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 1.1.5.1, R28

Description

System logs are stored in the /var/log directory. Ensure that /var/log has its own partition or logical volume at installation time, or migrate it using LVM.

Rationale

Placing /var/log in its own partition enables better separation between log files and other files in /var/.

Ensure /var/log/audit Located On Separate Partitionxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_var_log_audit low

Ensure /var/log/audit Located On Separate Partition

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_partition_for_var_log_audit
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitylow
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, APO11.04, APO13.01, BAI03.05, BAI04.04, DSS05.02, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, MEA02.01, CCI-000366, CCI-001849, 164.312(a)(2)(ii), 4.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 7.1, SR 7.2, SR 7.6, A.12.1.3, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.7.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, A.17.2.1, CIP-007-3 R6.5, CM-6(a), AU-4, SC-5(2), PR.DS-4, PR.PT-1, PR.PT-4, FMT_SMF_EXT.1, SRG-OS-000341-GPOS-00132, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, SRG-APP-000357-CTR-000800, 1.1.6.1, R71

Description

Audit logs are stored in the /var/log/audit directory. Ensure that /var/log/audit has its own partition or logical volume at installation time, or migrate it using LVM. Make absolutely certain that it is large enough to store all audit logs that will be created by the auditing daemon.

Rationale

Placing /var/log/audit in its own partition enables better separation between audit files and other files, and helps ensure that auditing cannot be halted due to the partition running out of space.

Ensure users own their home directoriesxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_accounts_users_own_home_directories medium

Ensure users own their home directories

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_accounts_users_own_home_directories
Result
notchecked
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References
Description

The user home directory is space defined for the particular user to set local environment variables and to store personal files. Since the user is accountable for files stored in the user home directory, the user must be the owner of the directory.

Rationale

Since the user is accountable for files stored in the user home directory, the user must be the owner of the directory.

Evaluation messages
info 
No candidate or applicable check found.
Ensure Log Files Are Owned By Appropriate Groupxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_rsyslog_files_groupownership medium

Ensure Log Files Are Owned By Appropriate Group

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_rsyslog_files_groupownership
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-001314, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, 0988, 1405, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-10.5.1, Req-10.5.2, R71, 10.3.2

Description

The group-owner of all log files written by rsyslog should be adm. These log files are determined by the second part of each Rule line in /etc/rsyslog.conf and typically all appear in /var/log. For each log file LOGFILE referenced in /etc/rsyslog.conf, run the following command to inspect the file's group owner:

$ ls -l LOGFILE
        
If the owner is not adm, run the following command to correct this:
$ sudo chgrp adm LOGFILE
        

Rationale

The log files generated by rsyslog contain valuable information regarding system configuration, user authentication, and other such information. Log files should be protected from unauthorized access.

Ensure Log Files Are Owned By Appropriate Userxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_rsyslog_files_ownership medium

Ensure Log Files Are Owned By Appropriate User

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_rsyslog_files_ownership
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-001314, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, 0988, 1405, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-10.5.1, Req-10.5.2, R71, 10.3.2

Description

The owner of all log files written by rsyslog should be syslog. These log files are determined by the second part of each Rule line in /etc/rsyslog.conf and typically all appear in /var/log. For each log file LOGFILE referenced in /etc/rsyslog.conf, run the following command to inspect the file's owner:

$ ls -l LOGFILE
        
If the owner is not syslog, run the following command to correct this:
$ sudo chown syslog LOGFILE
        

Rationale

The log files generated by rsyslog contain valuable information regarding system configuration, user authentication, and other such information. Log files should be protected from unauthorized access.

Ensure System Log Files Have Correct Permissionsxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_rsyslog_files_permissions medium

Ensure System Log Files Have Correct Permissions

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_rsyslog_files_permissions
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  CCI-001314, 0988, 1405, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), Req-10.5.1, Req-10.5.2, R71, 10.3.1

Description

The file permissions for all log files written by rsyslog should be set to 640, or more restrictive. These log files are determined by the second part of each Rule line in /etc/rsyslog.conf and typically all appear in /var/log. For each log file LOGFILE referenced in /etc/rsyslog.conf, run the following command to inspect the file's permissions:

$ ls -l LOGFILE
        
If the permissions are not 640 or more restrictive, run the following command to correct this:
$ sudo chmod 640 LOGFILE
        
"

Rationale

Log files can contain valuable information regarding system configuration. If the system log files are not protected unauthorized users could change the logged data, eliminating their forensic value.

Ensure Logrotate Runs Periodicallyxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_ensure_logrotate_activated medium

Ensure Logrotate Runs Periodically

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_ensure_logrotate_activated
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 14, 15, 16, 3, 5, 6, APO11.04, BAI03.05, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, MEA02.01, CCI-000366, 4.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.7.1, CM-6(a), PR.PT-1, Req-10.7, R71

Description

The logrotate utility allows for the automatic rotation of log files. The frequency of rotation is specified in /etc/logrotate.conf, which triggers a cron task or a timer. To configure logrotate to run daily, add or correct the following line in /etc/logrotate.conf:

# rotate log files frequency
daily

Rationale

Log files that are not properly rotated run the risk of growing so large that they fill up the /var/log partition. Valuable logging information could be lost if the /var/log partition becomes full.

Remediation Ansible snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:configure
- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-10.7
  - configure_strategy
  - ensure_logrotate_activated
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Configure daily log rotation in /etc/logrotate.conf
  lineinfile:
    create: true
    dest: /etc/logrotate.conf
    regexp: ^daily$
    line: daily
  when:
  - ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  - '"logrotate" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-10.7
  - configure_strategy
  - ensure_logrotate_activated
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Make sure daily log rotation setting is not overriden in /etc/logrotate.conf
  lineinfile:
    create: false
    dest: /etc/logrotate.conf
    regexp: ^[\s]*(weekly|monthly|yearly)$
    state: absent
  when:
  - ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  - '"logrotate" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-10.7
  - configure_strategy
  - ensure_logrotate_activated
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Configure cron.daily if not already
  block:

  - name: Add shebang
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/cron.daily/logrotate
      line: '#!/bin/sh'
      insertbefore: BOF
      create: true

  - name: Add logrotate call
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/cron.daily/logrotate
      line: /usr/sbin/logrotate /etc/logrotate.conf
      regexp: ^[\s]*/usr/sbin/logrotate[\s\S]*/etc/logrotate.conf$
  when:
  - ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  - '"logrotate" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-10.7
  - configure_strategy
  - ensure_logrotate_activated
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
Remediation Shell script:   (show)

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ] && { dpkg-query --show --showformat='${db:Status-Status}\n' 'logrotate' 2>/dev/null | grep -q installed; }; then

LOGROTATE_CONF_FILE="/etc/logrotate.conf"

CRON_DAILY_LOGROTATE_FILE="/etc/cron.daily/logrotate"


# daily rotation is configured
grep -q "^daily$" $LOGROTATE_CONF_FILE|| echo "daily" >> $LOGROTATE_CONF_FILE

# remove any line configuring weekly, monthly or yearly rotation
sed -i '/^\s*\(weekly\|monthly\|yearly\).*$/d' $LOGROTATE_CONF_FILE


# configure cron.daily if not already
if ! grep -q "^[[:space:]]*/usr/sbin/logrotate[[:alnum:][:blank:][:punct:]]*$LOGROTATE_CONF_FILE$" $CRON_DAILY_LOGROTATE_FILE; then
	echo '#!/bin/sh' > $CRON_DAILY_LOGROTATE_FILE
	echo "/usr/sbin/logrotate $LOGROTATE_CONF_FILE" >> $CRON_DAILY_LOGROTATE_FILE
fi

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Ensure rsyslog is Installedxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_rsyslog_installed medium

Ensure rsyslog is Installed

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_rsyslog_installed
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 14, 15, 16, 3, 5, 6, APO11.04, BAI03.05, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, MEA02.01, CCI-001311, CCI-001312, CCI-000366, 164.312(a)(2)(ii), 4.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.7.1, CM-6(a), PR.PT-1, FTP_ITC_EXT.1.1, SRG-OS-000479-GPOS-00224, SRG-OS-000051-GPOS-00024, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 4.2.2.1

Description

Rsyslog is installed by default. The rsyslog package can be installed with the following command:

 $ apt-get install rsyslog

Rationale

The rsyslog package provides the rsyslog daemon, which provides system logging services.

Enable rsyslog Servicexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_rsyslog_enabled medium

Enable rsyslog Service

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_rsyslog_enabled
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, APO10.01, APO10.03, APO10.04, APO10.05, APO11.04, APO13.01, BAI03.05, BAI04.04, DSS01.03, DSS03.05, DSS05.02, DSS05.04, DSS05.05, DSS05.07, MEA01.01, MEA01.02, MEA01.03, MEA01.04, MEA01.05, MEA02.01, CCI-001311, CCI-001312, CCI-001557, CCI-001851, CCI-000366, 164.312(a)(2)(ii), 4.3.2.6.7, 4.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, SR 6.1, SR 6.2, SR 7.1, SR 7.2, A.12.1.3, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.7.1, A.14.2.7, A.15.2.1, A.15.2.2, A.17.2.1, CM-6(a), AU-4(1), DE.CM-1, DE.CM-3, DE.CM-7, ID.SC-4, PR.DS-4, PR.PT-1, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, UBTU-22-652010, 4.2.2.2

Description

The rsyslog service provides syslog-style logging by default on Ubuntu 22.04. The rsyslog service can be enabled with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl enable rsyslog.service

Rationale

The rsyslog service must be running in order to provide logging services, which are essential to system administration.

Verify Group Who Owns group Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_group medium

Verify Group Who Owns group File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_group
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.3, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the group owner of /etc/group, run the command:

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/group

Rationale

The /etc/group file contains information regarding groups that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is important for system security.

Verify Group Who Owns gshadow Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_gshadow medium

Verify Group Who Owns gshadow File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_gshadow
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.7, R50

Description

To properly set the group owner of /etc/gshadow, run the command:

$ sudo chgrp shadow /etc/gshadow

Rationale

The /etc/gshadow file contains group password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Verify Group Who Owns passwd Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_passwd medium

Verify Group Who Owns passwd File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_passwd
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.1, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the group owner of /etc/passwd, run the command:

$ sudo chgrp root /etc/passwd

Rationale

The /etc/passwd file contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Verify Group Who Owns shadow Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_shadow medium

Verify Group Who Owns shadow File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_groupowner_etc_shadow
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.5, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the group owner of /etc/shadow, run the command:

$ sudo chgrp shadow /etc/shadow

Rationale

The /etc/shadow file stores password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Verify User Who Owns group Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_owner_etc_group medium

Verify User Who Owns group File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_owner_etc_group
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-002223, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.3, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the owner of /etc/group, run the command:

$ sudo chown root /etc/group 

Rationale

The /etc/group file contains information regarding groups that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is important for system security.

Verify User Who Owns gshadow Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_owner_etc_gshadow medium

Verify User Who Owns gshadow File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_owner_etc_gshadow
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-002223, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.7, R50

Description

To properly set the owner of /etc/gshadow, run the command:

$ sudo chown root /etc/gshadow 

Rationale

The /etc/gshadow file contains group password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Verify User Who Owns passwd Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_owner_etc_passwd medium

Verify User Who Owns passwd File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_owner_etc_passwd
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-002223, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.1, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the owner of /etc/passwd, run the command:

$ sudo chown root /etc/passwd 

Rationale

The /etc/passwd file contains information about the users that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Verify User Who Owns shadow Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_owner_etc_shadow medium

Verify User Who Owns shadow File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_owner_etc_shadow
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-002223, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.5, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the owner of /etc/shadow, run the command:

$ sudo chown root /etc/shadow 

Rationale

The /etc/shadow file contains the list of local system accounts and stores password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security. Failure to give ownership of this file to root provides the designated owner with access to sensitive information which could weaken the system security posture.

Verify Permissions on group Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_group medium

Verify Permissions on group File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_group
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-002223, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.3, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the permissions of /etc/group, run the command:

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/group

Rationale

The /etc/group file contains information regarding groups that are configured on the system. Protection of this file is important for system security.

Verify Permissions on gshadow Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_gshadow medium

Verify Permissions on gshadow File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_gshadow
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-002223, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.7, R50

Description

To properly set the permissions of /etc/gshadow, run the command:

$ sudo chmod 0640 /etc/gshadow

Rationale

The /etc/gshadow file contains group password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security.

Verify Permissions on passwd Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_passwd medium

Verify Permissions on passwd File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_passwd
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-002223, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.1, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the permissions of /etc/passwd, run the command:

$ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/passwd

Rationale

If the /etc/passwd file is writable by a group-owner or the world the risk of its compromise is increased. The file contains the list of accounts on the system and associated information, and protection of this file is critical for system security.

Verify Permissions on shadow Filexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_shadow medium

Verify Permissions on shadow File

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_etc_shadow
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 5.5.2.2, APO01.06, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, CCI-002223, 4.3.3.7.3, SR 2.1, SR 5.2, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R2.1, CIP-007-3 R2.2, CIP-007-3 R2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CM-6(a), AC-6(1), PR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, Req-8.7.c, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, 6.1.5, R50, 2.2.6

Description

To properly set the permissions of /etc/shadow, run the command:

$ sudo chmod 0640 /etc/shadow

Rationale

The /etc/shadow file contains the list of local system accounts and stores password hashes. Protection of this file is critical for system security. Failure to give ownership of this file to root provides the designated owner with access to sensitive information which could weaken the system security posture.

Verify Permissions on System.map Filesxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_systemmap low

Verify Permissions on System.map Files

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_file_permissions_systemmap
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitylow
Identifiers and References

References:  R29

Description

The System.map files are symbol map files generated during the compilation of the Linux kernel. They contain the mapping between kernel symbols and their corresponding memory addresses. In general, there is no need for non-root users to read these files. To properly set the permissions of /boot/System.map*, run the command:

$ sudo chmod 0600 /boot/System.map*

Rationale

The purpose of System.map files is primarily for debugging and profiling the kernel. Unrestricted access to these files might disclose information useful to attackers and malicious software leading to more sophisticated exploitation.

Disable Core Dumps for SUID programsxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sysctl_fs_suid_dumpable medium

Disable Core Dumps for SUID programs

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sysctl_fs_suid_dumpable
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  164.308(a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.308(a)(3), 164.308(a)(4), 164.310(b), 164.310(c), 164.312(a), 164.312(e), SI-11(a), SI-11(b), 1.5.4, R14, 3.3.1.1

Description

To set the runtime status of the fs.suid_dumpable kernel parameter, run the following command:

$ sudo sysctl -w fs.suid_dumpable=0
To make sure that the setting is persistent, add the following line to a file in the directory /etc/sysctl.d:
fs.suid_dumpable = 0

Rationale

The core dump of a setuid program is more likely to contain sensitive data, as the program itself runs with greater privileges than the user who initiated execution of the program. Disabling the ability for any setuid program to write a core file decreases the risk of unauthorized access of such data.

Remediation Ansible snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:medium
Reboot:true
Strategy:disable
- name: List /etc/sysctl.d/*.conf files
  find:
    paths:
    - /etc/sysctl.d/
    - /run/sysctl.d/
    - /usr/local/lib/sysctl.d/
    - /usr/lib/sysctl.d/
    contains: ^[\s]*fs.suid_dumpable.*$
    patterns: '*.conf'
    file_type: any
  register: find_sysctl_d
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-SI-11(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-11(b)
  - PCI-DSSv4-3.3.1.1
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - reboot_required
  - sysctl_fs_suid_dumpable

- name: Comment out any occurrences of fs.suid_dumpable from config files
  replace:
    path: '{{ item.path }}'
    regexp: ^[\s]*fs.suid_dumpable
    replace: '#fs.suid_dumpable'
  loop: '{{ find_sysctl_d.files }}'
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-SI-11(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-11(b)
  - PCI-DSSv4-3.3.1.1
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - reboot_required
  - sysctl_fs_suid_dumpable

- name: Ensure sysctl fs.suid_dumpable is set to 0
  sysctl:
    name: fs.suid_dumpable
    value: '0'
    sysctl_file: /etc/sysctl.conf
    state: present
    reload: true
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-SI-11(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-11(b)
  - PCI-DSSv4-3.3.1.1
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - reboot_required
  - sysctl_fs_suid_dumpable
Remediation Shell script:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:medium
Reboot:true
Strategy:disable
# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ]; then

# Comment out any occurrences of fs.suid_dumpable from /etc/sysctl.d/*.conf files

for f in /etc/sysctl.d/*.conf /run/sysctl.d/*.conf /usr/local/lib/sysctl.d/*.conf /usr/lib/sysctl.d/*.conf; do


  # skip systemd-sysctl symlink (/etc/sysctl.d/99-sysctl.conf -> /etc/sysctl.conf)
  if [[ "$(readlink -f "$f")" == "/etc/sysctl.conf" ]]; then continue; fi

  matching_list=$(grep -P '^(?!#).*[\s]*fs.suid_dumpable.*$' $f | uniq )
  if ! test -z "$matching_list"; then
    while IFS= read -r entry; do
      escaped_entry=$(sed -e 's|/|\\/|g' <<< "$entry")
      # comment out "fs.suid_dumpable" matches to preserve user data
      sed -i --follow-symlinks "s/^${escaped_entry}$/# &/g" $f
    done <<< "$matching_list"
  fi
done

#
# Set sysctl config file which to save the desired value
#

SYSCONFIG_FILE="/etc/sysctl.conf"


#
# Set runtime for fs.suid_dumpable
#
/sbin/sysctl -q -n -w fs.suid_dumpable="0"

#
# If fs.suid_dumpable present in /etc/sysctl.conf, change value to "0"
#	else, add "fs.suid_dumpable = 0" to /etc/sysctl.conf
#

# Strip any search characters in the key arg so that the key can be replaced without
# adding any search characters to the config file.
stripped_key=$(sed 's/[\^=\$,;+]*//g' <<< "^fs.suid_dumpable")

# shellcheck disable=SC2059
printf -v formatted_output "%s = %s" "$stripped_key" "0"

# If the key exists, change it. Otherwise, add it to the config_file.
# We search for the key string followed by a word boundary (matched by \>),
# so if we search for 'setting', 'setting2' won't match.
if LC_ALL=C grep -q -m 1 -i -e "^fs.suid_dumpable\\>" "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}"; then
    escaped_formatted_output=$(sed -e 's|/|\\/|g' <<< "$formatted_output")
    LC_ALL=C sed -i --follow-symlinks "s/^fs.suid_dumpable\\>.*/$escaped_formatted_output/gi" "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}"
else
    if [[ -s "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}" ]] && [[ -n "$(tail -c 1 -- "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}" || true)" ]]; then
        LC_ALL=C sed -i --follow-symlinks '$a'\\ "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}"
    fi
    printf '%s\n' "$formatted_output" >> "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}"
fi

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Enable Randomized Layout of Virtual Address Spacexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sysctl_kernel_randomize_va_space medium

Enable Randomized Layout of Virtual Address Space

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sysctl_kernel_randomize_va_space
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  3.1.7, CCI-000366, CCI-002824, 164.308(a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.308(a)(3), 164.308(a)(4), 164.310(b), 164.310(c), 164.312(a), 164.312(e), CIP-002-5 R1.1, CIP-002-5 R1.2, CIP-003-8 R5.1.1, CIP-003-8 R5.3, CIP-004-6 4.1, CIP-004-6 4.2, CIP-004-6 R2.2.3, CIP-004-6 R2.2.4, CIP-004-6 R2.3, CIP-004-6 R4, CIP-005-6 R1, CIP-005-6 R1.1, CIP-005-6 R1.2, CIP-007-3 R3, CIP-007-3 R3.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.1.2, CIP-007-3 R5.1.3, CIP-007-3 R5.2.1, CIP-007-3 R5.2.3, CIP-007-3 R8.4, CIP-009-6 R.1.1, CIP-009-6 R4, SC-30, SC-30(2), CM-6(a), Req-2.2.1, SRG-OS-000433-GPOS-00193, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, SRG-APP-000450-CTR-001105, UBTU-22-213020, 1.5.1, R9, 3.3.1.1

Description

To set the runtime status of the kernel.randomize_va_space kernel parameter, run the following command:

$ sudo sysctl -w kernel.randomize_va_space=2
To make sure that the setting is persistent, add the following line to a file in the directory /etc/sysctl.d:
kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

Rationale

Address space layout randomization (ASLR) makes it more difficult for an attacker to predict the location of attack code they have introduced into a process's address space during an attempt at exploitation. Additionally, ASLR makes it more difficult for an attacker to know the location of existing code in order to re-purpose it using return oriented programming (ROP) techniques.

Remediation Ansible snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:medium
Reboot:true
Strategy:disable
- name: List /etc/sysctl.d/*.conf files
  find:
    paths:
    - /etc/sysctl.d/
    - /run/sysctl.d/
    - /usr/local/lib/sysctl.d/
    - /usr/lib/sysctl.d/
    contains: ^[\s]*kernel.randomize_va_space.*$
    patterns: '*.conf'
    file_type: any
  register: find_sysctl_d
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - DISA-STIG-UBTU-22-213020
  - NIST-800-171-3.1.7
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-30
  - NIST-800-53-SC-30(2)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-2.2.1
  - PCI-DSSv4-3.3.1.1
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - reboot_required
  - sysctl_kernel_randomize_va_space

- name: Comment out any occurrences of kernel.randomize_va_space from config files
  replace:
    path: '{{ item.path }}'
    regexp: ^[\s]*kernel.randomize_va_space
    replace: '#kernel.randomize_va_space'
  loop: '{{ find_sysctl_d.files }}'
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - DISA-STIG-UBTU-22-213020
  - NIST-800-171-3.1.7
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-30
  - NIST-800-53-SC-30(2)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-2.2.1
  - PCI-DSSv4-3.3.1.1
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - reboot_required
  - sysctl_kernel_randomize_va_space

- name: Ensure sysctl kernel.randomize_va_space is set to 2
  sysctl:
    name: kernel.randomize_va_space
    value: '2'
    sysctl_file: /etc/sysctl.conf
    state: present
    reload: true
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - DISA-STIG-UBTU-22-213020
  - NIST-800-171-3.1.7
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-30
  - NIST-800-53-SC-30(2)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-2.2.1
  - PCI-DSSv4-3.3.1.1
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - reboot_required
  - sysctl_kernel_randomize_va_space
Remediation Shell script:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:medium
Reboot:true
Strategy:disable
# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ]; then

# Comment out any occurrences of kernel.randomize_va_space from /etc/sysctl.d/*.conf files

for f in /etc/sysctl.d/*.conf /run/sysctl.d/*.conf /usr/local/lib/sysctl.d/*.conf /usr/lib/sysctl.d/*.conf; do


  # skip systemd-sysctl symlink (/etc/sysctl.d/99-sysctl.conf -> /etc/sysctl.conf)
  if [[ "$(readlink -f "$f")" == "/etc/sysctl.conf" ]]; then continue; fi

  matching_list=$(grep -P '^(?!#).*[\s]*kernel.randomize_va_space.*$' $f | uniq )
  if ! test -z "$matching_list"; then
    while IFS= read -r entry; do
      escaped_entry=$(sed -e 's|/|\\/|g' <<< "$entry")
      # comment out "kernel.randomize_va_space" matches to preserve user data
      sed -i --follow-symlinks "s/^${escaped_entry}$/# &/g" $f
    done <<< "$matching_list"
  fi
done

#
# Set sysctl config file which to save the desired value
#

SYSCONFIG_FILE="/etc/sysctl.conf"


#
# Set runtime for kernel.randomize_va_space
#
/sbin/sysctl -q -n -w kernel.randomize_va_space="2"

#
# If kernel.randomize_va_space present in /etc/sysctl.conf, change value to "2"
#	else, add "kernel.randomize_va_space = 2" to /etc/sysctl.conf
#

# Strip any search characters in the key arg so that the key can be replaced without
# adding any search characters to the config file.
stripped_key=$(sed 's/[\^=\$,;+]*//g' <<< "^kernel.randomize_va_space")

# shellcheck disable=SC2059
printf -v formatted_output "%s = %s" "$stripped_key" "2"

# If the key exists, change it. Otherwise, add it to the config_file.
# We search for the key string followed by a word boundary (matched by \>),
# so if we search for 'setting', 'setting2' won't match.
if LC_ALL=C grep -q -m 1 -i -e "^kernel.randomize_va_space\\>" "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}"; then
    escaped_formatted_output=$(sed -e 's|/|\\/|g' <<< "$formatted_output")
    LC_ALL=C sed -i --follow-symlinks "s/^kernel.randomize_va_space\\>.*/$escaped_formatted_output/gi" "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}"
else
    if [[ -s "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}" ]] && [[ -n "$(tail -c 1 -- "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}" || true)" ]]; then
        LC_ALL=C sed -i --follow-symlinks '$a'\\ "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}"
    fi
    printf '%s\n' "$formatted_output" >> "${SYSCONFIG_FILE}"
fi

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Disable Apport Servicexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_apport_disabled unknown

Disable Apport Service

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_apport_disabled
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severityunknown
Identifiers and References

References:  1.5.3

Description

The Apport modifies certain kernel configuration values at runtime which may decrease the overall security of the system and expose sensitive data. The apport service can be disabled with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl mask --now apport.service

Rationale

The Apport service modifies the kernel fs.suid_dumpable configuration at runtime which prevents other hardening from being persistent. Disabling the service prevents this behavior.

Remediation Ansible snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:disable
- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - service_apport_disabled
  - unknown_severity

- name: Disable Apport Service - Collect systemd Services Present in the System
  ansible.builtin.command: systemctl -q list-unit-files --type service
  register: service_exists
  changed_when: false
  failed_when: service_exists.rc not in [0, 1]
  check_mode: false
  when: '"apport" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - service_apport_disabled
  - unknown_severity

- name: Disable Apport Service - Ensure "apport.service" is Masked
  ansible.builtin.systemd:
    name: apport.service
    state: stopped
    enabled: false
    masked: true
  when:
  - '"apport" in ansible_facts.packages'
  - service_exists.stdout_lines is search("apport.service",multiline=True)
  tags:
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - service_apport_disabled
  - unknown_severity

- name: Unit Socket Exists - apport.socket
  ansible.builtin.command: systemctl -q list-unit-files apport.socket
  register: socket_file_exists
  changed_when: false
  failed_when: socket_file_exists.rc not in [0, 1]
  check_mode: false
  when: '"apport" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - service_apport_disabled
  - unknown_severity

- name: Disable socket apport
  ansible.builtin.systemd:
    name: apport.socket
    enabled: 'no'
    state: stopped
    masked: 'yes'
  when:
  - '"apport" in ansible_facts.packages'
  - socket_file_exists.stdout_lines is search("apport.socket",multiline=True)
  tags:
  - disable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - service_apport_disabled
  - unknown_severity
Remediation Puppet snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:enable
include disable_apport

class disable_apport {
  service {'apport':
    enable => false,
    ensure => 'stopped',
  }
}
Remediation Shell script:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:disable
# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if dpkg-query --show --showformat='${db:Status-Status}\n' 'apport' 2>/dev/null | grep -q installed; then

SYSTEMCTL_EXEC='/usr/bin/systemctl'
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" stop 'apport.service'
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" disable 'apport.service'
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" mask 'apport.service'
# Disable socket activation if we have a unit file for it
if "$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" -q list-unit-files apport.socket; then
    "$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" stop 'apport.socket'
    "$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" mask 'apport.socket'
fi
# The service may not be running because it has been started and failed,
# so let's reset the state so OVAL checks pass.
# Service should be 'inactive', not 'failed' after reboot though.
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" reset-failed 'apport.service' || true

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Remediation script:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:medium
Reboot:true
Strategy:disable
apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.1.0
    systemd:
      units:
      - name: apport.service
        enabled: false
        mask: true
      - name: apport.socket
        enabled: false
        mask: true
Remediation script:   (show)


[customizations.services]
masked = ["apport"]
Install the cron servicexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_cron_installed medium

Install the cron service

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_cron_installed
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  11, 14, 3, 9, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS05.02, DSS05.05, DSS06.06, 164.308(a)(4)(i), 164.308(b)(1), 164.308(b)(3), 164.310(b), 164.312(e)(1), 164.312(e)(2)(ii), 4.3.3.5.1, 4.3.3.5.2, 4.3.3.5.3, 4.3.3.5.4, 4.3.3.5.5, 4.3.3.5.6, 4.3.3.5.7, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.3.6.1, 4.3.3.6.2, 4.3.3.6.3, 4.3.3.6.4, 4.3.3.6.5, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.3.6.7, 4.3.3.6.8, 4.3.3.6.9, 4.3.3.7.1, 4.3.3.7.2, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.3.7.4, 4.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, SR 1.1, SR 1.10, SR 1.11, SR 1.12, SR 1.13, SR 1.2, SR 1.3, SR 1.4, SR 1.5, SR 1.6, SR 1.7, SR 1.8, SR 1.9, SR 2.1, SR 2.2, SR 2.3, SR 2.4, SR 2.5, SR 2.6, SR 2.7, SR 7.6, A.12.1.2, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4, A.9.1.2, CM-6(a), PR.IP-1, PR.PT-3, 5.1.1

Description

The Cron service should be installed.

Rationale

The cron service allow periodic job execution, needed for almost all administrative tasks and services (software update, log rotating, etc.). Access to cron service should be restricted to administrative accounts only.

Enable cron Servicexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_cron_enabled medium

Enable cron Service

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_cron_enabled
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  11, 14, 3, 9, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS05.02, DSS05.05, DSS06.06, 164.308(a)(4)(i), 164.308(b)(1), 164.308(b)(3), 164.310(b), 164.312(e)(1), 164.312(e)(2)(ii), 4.3.3.5.1, 4.3.3.5.2, 4.3.3.5.3, 4.3.3.5.4, 4.3.3.5.5, 4.3.3.5.6, 4.3.3.5.7, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.3.6.1, 4.3.3.6.2, 4.3.3.6.3, 4.3.3.6.4, 4.3.3.6.5, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.3.6.7, 4.3.3.6.8, 4.3.3.6.9, 4.3.3.7.1, 4.3.3.7.2, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.3.7.4, 4.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, SR 1.1, SR 1.10, SR 1.11, SR 1.12, SR 1.13, SR 1.2, SR 1.3, SR 1.4, SR 1.5, SR 1.6, SR 1.7, SR 1.8, SR 1.9, SR 2.1, SR 2.2, SR 2.3, SR 2.4, SR 2.5, SR 2.6, SR 2.7, SR 7.6, A.12.1.2, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4, A.9.1.2, CM-6(a), PR.IP-1, PR.PT-3, 5.1.1

Description

The crond service is used to execute commands at preconfigured times. It is required by almost all systems to perform necessary maintenance tasks, such as notifying root of system activity. The cron service can be enabled with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl enable cron.service

Rationale

Due to its usage for maintenance and security-supporting tasks, enabling the cron daemon is essential.

Uninstall the inet-based telnet serverxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_inetutils-telnetd_removed high

Uninstall the inet-based telnet server

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_inetutils-telnetd_removed
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severityhigh
Identifiers and References

References:  11, 12, 14, 15, 3, 8, 9, APO13.01, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS01.04, DSS05.02, DSS05.03, DSS05.05, DSS06.06, 4.3.3.5.1, 4.3.3.5.2, 4.3.3.5.3, 4.3.3.5.4, 4.3.3.5.5, 4.3.3.5.6, 4.3.3.5.7, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.3.6.1, 4.3.3.6.2, 4.3.3.6.3, 4.3.3.6.4, 4.3.3.6.5, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.3.6.7, 4.3.3.6.8, 4.3.3.6.9, 4.3.3.7.1, 4.3.3.7.2, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.3.7.4, 4.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, SR 1.1, SR 1.10, SR 1.11, SR 1.12, SR 1.13, SR 1.2, SR 1.3, SR 1.4, SR 1.5, SR 1.6, SR 1.7, SR 1.8, SR 1.9, SR 2.1, SR 2.2, SR 2.3, SR 2.4, SR 2.5, SR 2.6, SR 2.7, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 7.1, SR 7.6, A.11.2.6, A.12.1.2, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4, A.6.2.1, A.6.2.2, A.9.1.2, CM-7(a), CM-7(b), CM-6(a), PR.AC-3, PR.IP-1, PR.PT-3, PR.PT-4

Description

The inet-based telnet daemon should be uninstalled.

Rationale

telnet allows clear text communications, and does not protect any data transmission between client and server. Any confidential data can be listened and no integrity checking is made.

Uninstall the nis packagexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_nis_removed low

Uninstall the nis package

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_nis_removed
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitylow
Identifiers and References

References:  2.2.14

Description

The support for Yellowpages should not be installed unless it is required.

Rationale

NIS is the historical SUN service for central account management, more and more replaced by LDAP. NIS does not support efficiently security constraints, ACL, etc. and should not be used.

Uninstall the ntpdate packagexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_ntpdate_removed low

Uninstall the ntpdate package

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_ntpdate_removed
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitylow
Identifiers and References
Description

ntpdate is a historical ntp synchronization client for unixes. It sould be uninstalled.

Rationale

ntpdate is an old not security-compliant ntp client. It should be replaced by modern ntp clients such as ntpd, able to use cryptographic mechanisms integrated in NTP.

Uninstall the ssl compliant telnet serverxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_telnetd-ssl_removed high

Uninstall the ssl compliant telnet server

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_telnetd-ssl_removed
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severityhigh
Identifiers and References

References:  11, 12, 14, 15, 3, 8, 9, APO13.01, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS01.04, DSS05.02, DSS05.03, DSS05.05, DSS06.06, 4.3.3.5.1, 4.3.3.5.2, 4.3.3.5.3, 4.3.3.5.4, 4.3.3.5.5, 4.3.3.5.6, 4.3.3.5.7, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.3.6.1, 4.3.3.6.2, 4.3.3.6.3, 4.3.3.6.4, 4.3.3.6.5, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.3.6.7, 4.3.3.6.8, 4.3.3.6.9, 4.3.3.7.1, 4.3.3.7.2, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.3.7.4, 4.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, SR 1.1, SR 1.10, SR 1.11, SR 1.12, SR 1.13, SR 1.2, SR 1.3, SR 1.4, SR 1.5, SR 1.6, SR 1.7, SR 1.8, SR 1.9, SR 2.1, SR 2.2, SR 2.3, SR 2.4, SR 2.5, SR 2.6, SR 2.7, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 7.1, SR 7.6, A.11.2.6, A.12.1.2, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4, A.6.2.1, A.6.2.2, A.9.1.2, CM-7(a), CM-7(b), CM-6(a), PR.AC-3, PR.IP-1, PR.PT-3, PR.PT-4

Description

The telnet daemon, even with ssl support, should be uninstalled.

Rationale

telnet, even with ssl support, should not be installed. When remote shell is required, up-to-date ssh daemon can be used.

Uninstall the telnet serverxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_telnetd_removed high

Uninstall the telnet server

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_telnetd_removed
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severityhigh
Identifiers and References

References:  11, 12, 14, 15, 3, 8, 9, APO13.01, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS01.04, DSS05.02, DSS05.03, DSS05.05, DSS06.06, 4.3.3.5.1, 4.3.3.5.2, 4.3.3.5.3, 4.3.3.5.4, 4.3.3.5.5, 4.3.3.5.6, 4.3.3.5.7, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.3.6.1, 4.3.3.6.2, 4.3.3.6.3, 4.3.3.6.4, 4.3.3.6.5, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.3.6.7, 4.3.3.6.8, 4.3.3.6.9, 4.3.3.7.1, 4.3.3.7.2, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.3.7.4, 4.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, SR 1.1, SR 1.10, SR 1.11, SR 1.12, SR 1.13, SR 1.2, SR 1.3, SR 1.4, SR 1.5, SR 1.6, SR 1.7, SR 1.8, SR 1.9, SR 2.1, SR 2.2, SR 2.3, SR 2.4, SR 2.5, SR 2.6, SR 2.7, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 7.1, SR 7.6, A.11.2.6, A.12.1.2, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4, A.6.2.1, A.6.2.2, A.9.1.2, CM-7(a), CM-7(b), CM-6(a), PR.AC-3, PR.IP-1, PR.PT-3, PR.PT-4, UBTU-22-215035

Description

The telnet daemon should be uninstalled.

Rationale

telnet allows clear text communications, and does not protect any data transmission between client and server. Any confidential data can be listened and no integrity checking is made.'

Install the systemd_timesyncd Servicexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_timesyncd_installed high

Install the systemd_timesyncd Service

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_timesyncd_installed
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severityhigh
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 14, 15, 16, 3, 5, 6, APO11.04, BAI03.05, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, MEA02.01, CCI-000160, 4.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.7.1, CM-6(a), PR.PT-1, Req-10.4, 2.1.1.1

Description

The systemd_timesyncd service should be installed.

Rationale

Time synchronization (using NTP) is required by almost all network and administrative tasks (syslog, cryptographic based services (authentication, etc.), etc.). systemd_timesyncd is a part of the systemd suite and acts as a NTP client.

Enable systemd_timesyncd Servicexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_timesyncd_enabled high

Enable systemd_timesyncd Service

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_timesyncd_enabled
Result
pass
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severityhigh
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 14, 15, 16, 3, 5, 6, APO11.04, BAI03.05, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, MEA02.01, CCI-000160, 4.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.7.1, CM-6(a), AU-8(1)(a), PR.PT-1, Req-10.4, 2.1.3.2, 10.6.1

Description

The systemd_timesyncd service can be enabled with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl enable systemd_timesyncd.service

Rationale

Enabling the systemd_timesyncd service ensures that this host uses the ntp protocol to fetch time data from a ntp server. Synchronizing time is essential for authentication services such as Kerberos, but it is also important for maintaining accurate logs and auditing possible security breaches.

Additional information on Ubuntu network time protocol is available at https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/serverguide/NTP.html.en.

Set SSH Client Alive Count Maxxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sshd_set_keepalive medium

Set SSH Client Alive Count Max

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sshd_set_keepalive
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 7, 8, 5.5.6, APO13.01, BAI03.01, BAI03.02, BAI03.03, DSS01.03, DSS03.05, DSS05.04, DSS05.05, DSS05.07, DSS05.10, DSS06.03, DSS06.10, 3.1.11, CCI-000879, CCI-001133, CCI-002361, 164.308(a)(4)(i), 164.308(b)(1), 164.308(b)(3), 164.310(b), 164.312(e)(1), 164.312(e)(2)(ii), 4.3.3.2.2, 4.3.3.5.1, 4.3.3.5.2, 4.3.3.6.1, 4.3.3.6.2, 4.3.3.6.3, 4.3.3.6.4, 4.3.3.6.5, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.3.6.7, 4.3.3.6.8, 4.3.3.6.9, 4.3.3.7.2, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.3.7.4, 4.3.4.3.3, SR 1.1, SR 1.10, SR 1.2, SR 1.3, SR 1.4, SR 1.5, SR 1.7, SR 1.8, SR 1.9, SR 2.1, SR 6.2, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.3, A.14.1.1, A.14.2.1, A.14.2.5, A.18.1.4, A.6.1.2, A.6.1.5, A.7.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.1, A.9.2.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.2.4, A.9.2.6, A.9.3.1, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.2, A.9.4.3, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-004-6 R2.2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.2, CIP-007-3 R5.3.1, CIP-007-3 R5.3.2, CIP-007-3 R5.3.3, AC-2(5), AC-12, AC-17(a), SC-10, CM-6(a), DE.CM-1, DE.CM-3, PR.AC-1, PR.AC-4, PR.AC-6, PR.AC-7, PR.IP-2, Req-8.1.8, SRG-OS-000163-GPOS-00072, SRG-OS-000279-GPOS-00109, UBTU-22-255030, 5.2.22, 8.2.8

Description

The SSH server sends at most ClientAliveCountMax messages during a SSH session and waits for a response from the SSH client. The option ClientAliveInterval configures timeout after each ClientAliveCountMax message. If the SSH server does not receive a response from the client, then the connection is considered unresponsive and terminated. For SSH earlier than v8.2, a ClientAliveCountMax value of 0 causes a timeout precisely when the ClientAliveInterval is set. Starting with v8.2, a value of 0 disables the timeout functionality completely. If the option is set to a number greater than 0, then the session will be disconnected after ClientAliveInterval * ClientAliveCountMax seconds without receiving a keep alive message.

Rationale

This ensures a user login will be terminated as soon as the ClientAliveInterval is reached.

Remediation Ansible snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:restrict
- name: XCCDF Value var_sshd_set_keepalive # promote to variable
  set_fact:
    var_sshd_set_keepalive: !!str 0
  tags:
    - always

- name: Set SSH Client Alive Count Max
  block:

  - name: Check for duplicate values
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/ssh/sshd_config
      create: true
      regexp: (?i)^\s*ClientAliveCountMax\s+
      state: absent
    check_mode: true
    changed_when: false
    register: dupes

  - name: Deduplicate values from /etc/ssh/sshd_config
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/ssh/sshd_config
      create: true
      regexp: (?i)^\s*ClientAliveCountMax\s+
      state: absent
    when: dupes.found is defined and dupes.found > 1

  - name: Insert correct line to /etc/ssh/sshd_config
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/ssh/sshd_config
      create: true
      regexp: (?i)^\s*ClientAliveCountMax\s+
      line: ClientAliveCountMax {{ var_sshd_set_keepalive }}
      state: present
      insertbefore: BOF
      validate: /usr/sbin/sshd -t -f %s
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.5.6
  - DISA-STIG-UBTU-22-255030
  - NIST-800-171-3.1.11
  - NIST-800-53-AC-12
  - NIST-800-53-AC-17(a)
  - NIST-800-53-AC-2(5)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-10
  - PCI-DSS-Req-8.1.8
  - PCI-DSSv4-8.2.8
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy
  - sshd_set_keepalive
Remediation Shell script:   (show)

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ]; then

var_sshd_set_keepalive='0'


if [ -e "/etc/ssh/sshd_config" ] ; then
    
    LC_ALL=C sed -i "/^\s*ClientAliveCountMax\s\+/Id" "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
else
    touch "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
fi
# make sure file has newline at the end
sed -i -e '$a\' "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"

cp "/etc/ssh/sshd_config" "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak"
# Insert at the beginning of the file
printf '%s\n' "ClientAliveCountMax $var_sshd_set_keepalive" > "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
cat "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak" >> "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
# Clean up after ourselves.
rm "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak"

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Set SSH Client Alive Intervalxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sshd_set_idle_timeout medium

Set SSH Client Alive Interval

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sshd_set_idle_timeout
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 7, 8, 5.5.6, APO13.01, BAI03.01, BAI03.02, BAI03.03, DSS01.03, DSS03.05, DSS05.04, DSS05.05, DSS05.07, DSS05.10, DSS06.03, DSS06.10, 3.1.11, CCI-000879, CCI-001133, CCI-002361, 4.3.3.2.2, 4.3.3.5.1, 4.3.3.5.2, 4.3.3.6.1, 4.3.3.6.2, 4.3.3.6.3, 4.3.3.6.4, 4.3.3.6.5, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.3.6.7, 4.3.3.6.8, 4.3.3.6.9, 4.3.3.7.2, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.3.7.4, 4.3.4.3.3, SR 1.1, SR 1.10, SR 1.2, SR 1.3, SR 1.4, SR 1.5, SR 1.7, SR 1.8, SR 1.9, SR 2.1, SR 6.2, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.3, A.14.1.1, A.14.2.1, A.14.2.5, A.18.1.4, A.6.1.2, A.6.1.5, A.7.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.1, A.9.2.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.2.4, A.9.2.6, A.9.3.1, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.2, A.9.4.3, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, CIP-004-6 R2.2.3, CIP-007-3 R5.1, CIP-007-3 R5.2, CIP-007-3 R5.3.1, CIP-007-3 R5.3.2, CIP-007-3 R5.3.3, CM-6(a), AC-17(a), AC-2(5), AC-12, AC-17(a), SC-10, CM-6(a), DE.CM-1, DE.CM-3, PR.AC-1, PR.AC-4, PR.AC-6, PR.AC-7, PR.IP-2, Req-8.1.8, SRG-OS-000126-GPOS-00066, SRG-OS-000163-GPOS-00072, SRG-OS-000279-GPOS-00109, SRG-OS-000395-GPOS-00175, UBTU-22-255035, 5.2.22, 8.2.8

Description

SSH allows administrators to set a network responsiveness timeout interval. After this interval has passed, the unresponsive client will be automatically logged out.

To set this timeout interval, edit the following line in /etc/ssh/sshd_config as follows:

ClientAliveInterval 300
        


The timeout interval is given in seconds. For example, have a timeout of 10 minutes, set interval to 600.

If a shorter timeout has already been set for the login shell, that value will preempt any SSH setting made in /etc/ssh/sshd_config. Keep in mind that some processes may stop SSH from correctly detecting that the user is idle.

Rationale

Terminating an idle ssh session within a short time period reduces the window of opportunity for unauthorized personnel to take control of a management session enabled on the console or console port that has been let unattended.

Warnings
warning  SSH disconnecting unresponsive clients will not have desired effect without also configuring ClientAliveCountMax in the SSH service configuration.
warning  Following conditions may prevent the SSH session to time out:
  • Remote processes on the remote machine generates output. As the output has to be transferred over the network to the client, the timeout is reset every time such transfer happens.
  • Any scp or sftp activity by the same user to the host resets the timeout.
Remediation Shell script:   (show)

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ]; then

sshd_idle_timeout_value='300'


if [ -e "/etc/ssh/sshd_config" ] ; then
    
    LC_ALL=C sed -i "/^\s*ClientAliveInterval\s\+/Id" "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
else
    touch "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
fi
# make sure file has newline at the end
sed -i -e '$a\' "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"

cp "/etc/ssh/sshd_config" "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak"
# Insert at the beginning of the file
printf '%s\n' "ClientAliveInterval $sshd_idle_timeout_value" > "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
cat "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak" >> "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
# Clean up after ourselves.
rm "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak"

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Disable SSH Access via Empty Passwordsxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sshd_disable_empty_passwords high

Disable SSH Access via Empty Passwords

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sshd_disable_empty_passwords
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severityhigh
Identifiers and References

References:  11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 9, 5.5.6, APO01.06, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS05.02, DSS05.04, DSS05.05, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, DSS06.03, DSS06.06, 3.1.1, 3.1.5, CCI-000366, CCI-000766, 164.308(a)(4)(i), 164.308(b)(1), 164.308(b)(3), 164.310(b), 164.312(e)(1), 164.312(e)(2)(ii), 4.3.3.2.2, 4.3.3.5.1, 4.3.3.5.2, 4.3.3.5.3, 4.3.3.5.4, 4.3.3.5.5, 4.3.3.5.6, 4.3.3.5.7, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.3.6.1, 4.3.3.6.2, 4.3.3.6.3, 4.3.3.6.4, 4.3.3.6.5, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.3.6.7, 4.3.3.6.8, 4.3.3.6.9, 4.3.3.7.1, 4.3.3.7.2, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.3.7.4, 4.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, SR 1.1, SR 1.10, SR 1.11, SR 1.12, SR 1.13, SR 1.2, SR 1.3, SR 1.4, SR 1.5, SR 1.6, SR 1.7, SR 1.8, SR 1.9, SR 2.1, SR 2.2, SR 2.3, SR 2.4, SR 2.5, SR 2.6, SR 2.7, SR 5.2, SR 7.6, A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.12.1.2, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.1, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5, AC-17(a), CM-7(a), CM-7(b), CM-6(a), PR.AC-4, PR.AC-6, PR.DS-5, PR.IP-1, PR.PT-3, FIA_UAU.1, Req-2.2.4, SRG-OS-000106-GPOS-00053, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00229, SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, UBTU-22-255025, 5.2.9, 2.2.6

Description

Disallow SSH login with empty passwords. The default SSH configuration disables logins with empty passwords. The appropriate configuration is used if no value is set for PermitEmptyPasswords.
To explicitly disallow SSH login from accounts with empty passwords, add or correct the following line in /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/00-complianceascode-hardening.conf:

PermitEmptyPasswords no
Any accounts with empty passwords should be disabled immediately, and PAM configuration should prevent users from being able to assign themselves empty passwords.

Rationale

Configuring this setting for the SSH daemon provides additional assurance that remote login via SSH will require a password, even in the event of misconfiguration elsewhere.

Remediation Ansible snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:restrict
- name: Disable SSH Access via Empty Passwords
  block:

  - name: Deduplicate values from /etc/ssh/sshd_config
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/ssh/sshd_config
      create: false
      regexp: (?i)^\s*{{ "PermitEmptyPasswords"| regex_escape }}\s+
      state: absent

  - name: Check if /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d exists
    stat:
      path: /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d
    register: _etc_ssh_sshd_config_d_exists

  - name: Check if the parameter PermitEmptyPasswords is present in /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d
    find:
      paths: /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d
      recurse: 'yes'
      follow: 'no'
      contains: (?i)^\s*{{ "PermitEmptyPasswords"| regex_escape }}\s+
    register: _etc_ssh_sshd_config_d_has_parameter
    when: _etc_ssh_sshd_config_d_exists.stat.isdir is defined and _etc_ssh_sshd_config_d_exists.stat.isdir

  - name: Remove parameter from files in /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d
    lineinfile:
      path: '{{ item.path }}'
      create: false
      regexp: (?i)^\s*{{ "PermitEmptyPasswords"| regex_escape }}\s+
      state: absent
    with_items: '{{ _etc_ssh_sshd_config_d_has_parameter.files }}'
    when: _etc_ssh_sshd_config_d_has_parameter.matched

  - name: Insert correct line to /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf
      create: true
      regexp: (?i)^\s*{{ "PermitEmptyPasswords"| regex_escape }}\s+
      line: PermitEmptyPasswords no
      state: present
      insertbefore: BOF
      validate: /usr/sbin/sshd -t -f %s
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.5.6
  - DISA-STIG-UBTU-22-255025
  - NIST-800-171-3.1.1
  - NIST-800-171-3.1.5
  - NIST-800-53-AC-17(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-7(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-7(b)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-2.2.4
  - PCI-DSSv4-2.2.6
  - high_severity
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy
  - sshd_disable_empty_passwords
Remediation Shell script:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:restrict
# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ]; then

mkdir -p /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d
touch /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf

LC_ALL=C sed -i "/^\s*PermitEmptyPasswords\s\+/Id" "/etc/ssh/sshd_config"
LC_ALL=C sed -i "/^\s*PermitEmptyPasswords\s\+/Id" "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d"/*.conf
if [ -e "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf" ] ; then
    
    LC_ALL=C sed -i "/^\s*PermitEmptyPasswords\s\+/Id" "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf"
else
    touch "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf"
fi
# make sure file has newline at the end
sed -i -e '$a\' "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf"

cp "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf" "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf.bak"
# Insert at the beginning of the file
printf '%s\n' "PermitEmptyPasswords no" > "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf"
cat "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf.bak" >> "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf"
# Clean up after ourselves.
rm "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/01-complianceascode-reinforce-os-defaults.conf.bak"

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Ensure the audit Subsystem is Installedxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_audit_installed medium

Ensure the audit Subsystem is Installed

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_package_audit_installed
Result
fail
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  CCI-000130, CCI-000131, CCI-000132, CCI-000133, CCI-000134, CCI-000135, CCI-000154, CCI-000158, CCI-000172, CCI-001464, CCI-001487, CCI-001814, CCI-001875, CCI-001876, CCI-001877, CCI-001878, CCI-001879, CCI-001880, CCI-001881, CCI-001882, CCI-001889, CCI-001914, CCI-002884, CCI-000169, 164.308(a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.308(a)(5)(ii)(C), 164.310(a)(2)(iv), 164.310(d)(2)(iii), 164.312(b), CIP-004-6 R3.3, CIP-007-3 R6.5, AC-7(a), AU-7(1), AU-7(2), AU-14, AU-12(2), AU-2(a), CM-6(a), FAU_GEN.1, Req-10.1, SRG-OS-000062-GPOS-00031, SRG-OS-000037-GPOS-00015, SRG-OS-000038-GPOS-00016, SRG-OS-000039-GPOS-00017, SRG-OS-000040-GPOS-00018, SRG-OS-000041-GPOS-00019, SRG-OS-000042-GPOS-00021, SRG-OS-000051-GPOS-00024, SRG-OS-000054-GPOS-00025, SRG-OS-000122-GPOS-00063, SRG-OS-000254-GPOS-00095, SRG-OS-000255-GPOS-00096, SRG-OS-000337-GPOS-00129, SRG-OS-000348-GPOS-00136, SRG-OS-000349-GPOS-00137, SRG-OS-000350-GPOS-00138, SRG-OS-000351-GPOS-00139, SRG-OS-000352-GPOS-00140, SRG-OS-000353-GPOS-00141, SRG-OS-000354-GPOS-00142, SRG-OS-000358-GPOS-00145, SRG-OS-000365-GPOS-00152, SRG-OS-000392-GPOS-00172, SRG-OS-000475-GPOS-00220, UBTU-22-653010, 4.1.1.1, R33, R73, 10.2.1

Description

The audit package should be installed.

Rationale

The auditd service is an access monitoring and accounting daemon, watching system calls to audit any access, in comparison with potential local access control policy such as SELinux policy.

Remediation Ansible snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:enable
- name: Ensure auditd is installed
  package:
    name: auditd
    state: present
  when: ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman", "container"]
  tags:
  - DISA-STIG-UBTU-22-653010
  - NIST-800-53-AC-7(a)
  - NIST-800-53-AU-12(2)
  - NIST-800-53-AU-14
  - NIST-800-53-AU-2(a)
  - NIST-800-53-AU-7(1)
  - NIST-800-53-AU-7(2)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-10.1
  - PCI-DSSv4-10.2.1
  - enable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
  - package_audit_installed
Remediation Puppet snippet:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:enable
include install_auditd

class install_auditd {
  package { 'auditd':
    ensure => 'installed',
  }
}
Remediation Shell script:   (show)

Complexity:low
Disruption:low
Strategy:enable
# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ]; then

DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt-get install -y "auditd"

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Remediation script:   (show)


[[packages]]
name = "auditd"
version = "*"
Enable auditd Servicexccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_auditd_enabled medium

Enable auditd Service

Rule IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_auditd_enabled
Result
notapplicable
Time2025-05-13T14:32:51
Severitymedium
Identifiers and References

References:  1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 5.4.1.1, APO10.01, APO10.03, APO10.04, APO10.05, APO11.04, APO12.06, APO13.01, BAI03.05, BAI08.02, DSS01.03, DSS01.04, DSS02.02, DSS02.04, DSS02.07, DSS03.01, DSS03.05, DSS05.02, DSS05.03, DSS05.04, DSS05.05, DSS05.07, MEA01.01, MEA01.02, MEA01.03, MEA01.04, MEA01.05, MEA02.01, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.6, CCI-000126, CCI-000130, CCI-000131, CCI-000132, CCI-000133, CCI-000134, CCI-000135, CCI-000154, CCI-000158, CCI-000172, CCI-000366, CCI-001464, CCI-001487, CCI-001814, CCI-001875, CCI-001876, CCI-001877, CCI-002884, CCI-001878, CCI-001879, CCI-001880, CCI-001881, CCI-001882, CCI-001889, CCI-001914, CCI-000169, 164.308(a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.308(a)(5)(ii)(C), 164.310(a)(2)(iv), 164.310(d)(2)(iii), 164.312(b), 4.2.3.10, 4.3.2.6.7, 4.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.3.6.6, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.3.4.5.6, 4.3.4.5.7, 4.3.4.5.8, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4, SR 1.13, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.6, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, SR 3.1, SR 3.5, SR 3.8, SR 4.1, SR 4.3, SR 5.1, SR 5.2, SR 5.3, SR 6.1, SR 6.2, SR 7.1, SR 7.6, A.11.2.6, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.7.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.2.1, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.7, A.15.2.1, A.15.2.2, A.16.1.4, A.16.1.5, A.16.1.7, A.6.2.1, A.6.2.2, CIP-004-6 R3.3, CIP-007-3 R6.5, AC-2(g), AU-3, AU-10, AU-2(d), AU-12(c), AU-14(1), AC-6(9), CM-6(a), SI-4(23), DE.AE-3, DE.AE-5, DE.CM-1, DE.CM-3, DE.CM-7, ID.SC-4, PR.AC-3, PR.PT-1, PR.PT-4, RS.AN-1, RS.AN-4, FAU_GEN.1, Req-10.1, SRG-OS-000062-GPOS-00031, SRG-OS-000037-GPOS-00015, SRG-OS-000038-GPOS-00016, SRG-OS-000039-GPOS-00017, SRG-OS-000040-GPOS-00018, SRG-OS-000041-GPOS-00019, SRG-OS-000042-GPOS-00021, SRG-OS-000051-GPOS-00024, SRG-OS-000054-GPOS-00025, SRG-OS-000122-GPOS-00063, SRG-OS-000254-GPOS-00095, SRG-OS-000255-GPOS-00096, SRG-OS-000337-GPOS-00129, SRG-OS-000348-GPOS-00136, SRG-OS-000349-GPOS-00137, SRG-OS-000350-GPOS-00138, SRG-OS-000351-GPOS-00139, SRG-OS-000352-GPOS-00140, SRG-OS-000353-GPOS-00141, SRG-OS-000354-GPOS-00142, SRG-OS-000358-GPOS-00145, SRG-OS-000365-GPOS-00152, SRG-OS-000392-GPOS-00172, SRG-OS-000475-GPOS-00220, SRG-APP-000095-CTR-000170, SRG-APP-000409-CTR-000990, SRG-APP-000508-CTR-001300, SRG-APP-000510-CTR-001310, UBTU-22-653015, 4.1.1.2, R33, R73, 10.2.1

Description

The auditd service is an essential userspace component of the Linux Auditing System, as it is responsible for writing audit records to disk. The auditd service can be enabled with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl enable auditd.service

Rationale

Without establishing what type of events occurred, it would be difficult to establish, correlate, and investigate the events leading up to an outage or attack. Ensuring the auditd service is active ensures audit records generated by the kernel are appropriately recorded.

Additionally, a properly configured audit subsystem ensures that actions of individual system users can be uniquely traced to those users so they can be held accountable for their actions.

Red Hat and Red Hat Enterprise Linux are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.