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Guide to the Secure Configuration of Ubuntu 18.04

Rules, Groups, and Values defined within the XCCDF Benchmark

  • System Security Services Daemon (SSSD) - LDAP

    The System Security Services Daemon (SSSD) is a system daemon that provides access to different identity and authentication providers such as Red H...
    Group
  • SSSD LDAP Backend Client CA Certificate Location

    Path of a directory that contains Certificate Authority certificates.
    Value
  • USBGuard daemon

    The USBGuard daemon enforces the USB device authorization policy for all USB devices.
    Group
  • X Window System

    The X Window System implementation included with the system is called X.org.
    Group
  • Disable X Windows

    Unless there is a mission-critical reason for the system to run a graphical user interface, ensure X is not set to start automatically at boot and ...
    Group
  • Introduction

    The purpose of this guidance is to provide security configuration recommendations and baselines for the Ubuntu 18.04 operating system. Recommended ...
    Group
  • General Principles

    The following general principles motivate much of the advice in this guide and should also influence any configuration decisions that are not expli...
    Group
  • Encrypt Transmitted Data Whenever Possible

    Data transmitted over a network, whether wired or wireless, is susceptible to passive monitoring. Whenever practical solutions for encrypting such ...
    Group
  • Least Privilege

    Grant the least privilege necessary for user accounts and software to perform tasks. For example, <code>sudo</code> can be implemented to limit aut...
    Group
  • Minimize Software to Minimize Vulnerability

    The simplest way to avoid vulnerabilities in software is to avoid installing that software. On Ubuntu 18.04,the Package Manager (originally <a href...
    Group
  • Run Different Network Services on Separate Systems

    Whenever possible, a server should be dedicated to serving exactly one network service. This limits the number of other services that can be compro...
    Group
  • Configure Security Tools to Improve System Robustness

    Several tools exist which can be effectively used to improve a system's resistance to and detection of unknown attacks. These tools can improve rob...
    Group
  • How to Use This Guide

    Readers should heed the following points when using the guide.
    Group
  • Formatting Conventions

    Commands intended for shell execution, as well as configuration file text, are featured in a <code>monospace font</code>. <i>Italics</i> are used t...
    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 n...
    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...
    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 t...
    Group
  • Dectivate firewalld Rules

    Firewalls can be used to separate networks into different zones based on the level of trust the user has decided to place on the devices and traffi...
    Group
  • Network Manager

    The NetworkManager daemon configures a variety of network connections. This section discusses how to configure NetworkManager.
    Group
  • NetoworkManager DNS Mode

    This sets how NetworkManager handles DNS. none - NetworkManager will not modify resolv.conf. default - NetworkManager will update /etc/resolv.con...
    Value
  • Configure AIDE To Notify Personnel if Baseline Configurations Are Altered

    The operating system file integrity tool must be configured to notify designated personnel of any changes to configurations.
    Rule Medium 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) ca...
    Rule Low 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 i...
    Rule Low Severity
  • Record Attempts to Alter Logon and Logout Events

    The audit system already collects login information for all users and root. If the <code>auditd</code> daemon is configured to use the <code>augenr...
    Group
  • Type of hostname to record the audit event

    Type of hostname to record the audit event
    Value
  • Restrict unprivileged access to the kernel syslog

    Enforce restrictions on unprivileged users reading the kernel syslog via dmesg(8). The configuration that was used to build kernel is available at...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Disable mutable hooks

    Ensure kernel structures associated with LSMs are always mapped as read-only after system boot. The configuration that was used to build kernel is...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Ensure Log Files Are Owned By Appropriate Group

    The group-owner of all log files written by <code>rsyslog</code> should be <code>adm</code>. These log files are determined by the second part of e...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Verify that All World-Writable Directories Have Sticky Bits Set

    When the so-called 'sticky bit' is set on a directory, only the owner of a given file may remove that file from the directory. Without the sticky b...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Ensure No World-Writable Files Exist

    It is generally a good idea to remove global (other) write access to a file when it is discovered. However, check with documentation for specific a...
    Rule Medium Severity
  • Verify Permissions on group File

    To properly set the permissions of /etc/group, run the command:
    $ sudo chmod 0644 /etc/group
    Rule Medium Severity
  • 389 Directory Server

    389 Directory Server is a popular open-source LDAP server for Linux.
    Group
  • 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

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