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Guide to the Secure Configuration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7

Rules, Groups, and Values defined within the XCCDF Benchmark

  • Read Sections Completely and in Order

    Each section may build on information and recommendations discussed in prior sections. Each section should be read and understood completely; instructions should never be blindly applied. Relevant ...
    Group
  • Reboot Required

    A system reboot is implicitly required after some actions in order to complete the reconfiguration of the system. In many cases, the changes will not take effect until a reboot is performed. In ord...
    Group
  • Root Shell Environment Assumed

    Most of the actions listed in this document are written with the assumption that they will be executed by the root user running the <code>/bin/bash</code> shell. Commands preceded with a hash mark ...
    Group
  • Test in Non-Production Environment

    This guidance should always be tested in a non-production environment before deployment. This test environment should simulate the setup in which the system will be deployed as closely as possible.
    Group
  • Disable ypserv Service

    The <code>ypserv</code> service, which allows the system to act as a client in a NIS or NIS+ domain, should be disabled. The <code>ypserv</code> service can be disabled with the following command:...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • SSH Strong MACs by FIPS

    Specify the FIPS approved MACs (Message Authentication Code) algorithms that are used for data integrity protection by the SSH server.
    Value
  • Remove SSH Server firewalld Firewall exception (Unusual)

    By default, inbound connections to SSH's port are allowed. If the SSH server is not being used, this exception should be removed from the firewall configuration. <br><br> To configure <code>firewa...
    Rule Unknown Severity
  • Verify File Hashes with RPM

    Without cryptographic integrity protections, system executables and files can be altered by unauthorized users without detection. The RPM package management system can check the hashes of installed...
    Rule High Severity
  • Verify and Correct File Permissions with RPM

    The RPM package management system can check file access permissions of installed software packages, including many that are important to system security. Verify that the file permissions of system ...
    Rule High Severity
  • Ensure /dev/shm is configured

    The <code>/dev/shm</code> is a traditional shared memory concept. One program will create a memory portion, which other processes (if permitted) can access. If <code>/dev/shm</code> is not configur...
    Rule Low Severity
  • Install cryptsetup Package

    The cryptsetup package can be installed with the following command:
    $ sudo yum install cryptsetup
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Ensure PAM Displays Last Logon/Access Notification

    To configure the system to notify users of last logon/access using <code>pam_lastlog</code>, add or correct the <code>pam_lastlog</code> settings in <code>/etc/pam.d/postlogin</code> to include <co...
    Rule Low Severity
  • Lock Accounts After Failed Password Attempts

    This rule configures the system to lock out accounts after a number of incorrect login attempts using <code>pam_faillock.so</code>. pam_faillock.so module requires multiple entries in pam files. Th...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Ensure PAM Enforces Password Requirements - Prevent the Use of Dictionary Words

    The pam_pwquality module's dictcheck check if passwords contains dictionary words. When dictcheck is set to 1 passwords will be checked for dictionary words.
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Set existing passwords a period of inactivity before they been locked

    Configure user accounts that have been inactive for over a given period of time to be automatically disabled by running the following command:
    $ sudo chage --inactive 30USER
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Ensure the Group Used by pam_wheel.so Module Exists on System and is Empty

    Ensure that the group <code><xccdf-1.2:sub idref="xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_value_var_pam_wheel_group_for_su" use="legacy"></xccdf-1.2:sub></code> referenced by <code>var_pam_wheel_group_for_su<...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Ensure Authentication Required for Single User Mode

    Single user mode is used for recovery when the system detects an issue during boot or by manual selection from the bootloader.
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Enforce Usage of pam_wheel with Group Parameter for su Authentication

    To ensure that only users who are members of the group set in the <code>group</code> option of <code>pam_wheel.so</code> module can run commands with altered privileges through the <code>su</code> ...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Set Interactive Session Timeout

    Setting the <code>TMOUT</code> option in <code>/etc/profile</code> ensures that all user sessions will terminate based on inactivity. The value of TMOUT should be exported and read only. The <code>...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Ensure users' .netrc Files are not group or world accessible

    While the system administrator can establish secure permissions for users' .netrc files, the users can easily override these. This rule ensures every .netrc file or directory under the home direct...
    Rule Medium Severity

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