The Oracle Linux operating system must, for networked systems, synchronize clocks with a server that is synchronized to one of the redundant United States Naval Observatory (USNO) time servers, a time server designated for the appropriate DoD network (NIPRNet/SIPRNet), and/or the Global Positioning System (GPS).
An XCCDF Rule
Description
<VulnDiscussion>Inaccurate time stamps make it more difficult to correlate events and can lead to an inaccurate analysis. Determining the correct time a particular event occurred on a system is critical when conducting forensic analysis and investigating system events. Sources outside the configured acceptable allowance (drift) may be inaccurate. Synchronizing internal information system clocks provides uniformity of time stamps for information systems with multiple system clocks and systems connected over a network. Organizations should consider endpoints that may not have regular access to the authoritative time server (e.g., mobile, teleworking, and tactical endpoints). Satisfies: SRG-OS-000355-GPOS-00143, SRG-OS-000356-GPOS-00144</VulnDiscussion><FalsePositives></FalsePositives><FalseNegatives></FalseNegatives><Documentable>false</Documentable><Mitigations></Mitigations><SeverityOverrideGuidance></SeverityOverrideGuidance><PotentialImpacts></PotentialImpacts><ThirdPartyTools></ThirdPartyTools><MitigationControl></MitigationControl><Responsibility></Responsibility><IAControls></IAControls>
- ID
- SV-221866r877038_rule
- Severity
- Medium
- References
- Updated
Remediation - Manual Procedure
Edit the "/etc/ntp.conf" or "/etc/chrony.conf" file and add or update an entry to define "maxpoll" to "16" as follows:
server 0.rhel.pool.ntp.org iburst maxpoll 16
If NTP was running and "maxpoll" was updated, the NTP service must be restarted: