Skip to content

Enable the OpenSSH Service

An XCCDF Rule

Description

The SSH server service, sshd, is commonly needed. The sshd service can be enabled with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl enable sshd.service

Rationale

Without protection of the transmitted information, confidentiality, and integrity may be compromised because unprotected communications can be intercepted and either read or altered.

This checklist item applies to both internal and external networks and all types of information system components from which information can be transmitted (e.g., servers, mobile devices, notebook computers, printers, copiers, scanners, etc). Communication paths outside the physical protection of a controlled boundary are exposed to the possibility of interception and modification.

ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_sshd_enabled
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



Remediation - Puppet

include enable_sshd

class enable_sshd {
  service {'sshd':
    enable => true,
    ensure => 'running',

Remediation - Shell Script

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

SYSTEMCTL_EXEC='/usr/bin/systemctl'
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" unmask 'sshd.service'
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" start 'sshd.service'

Remediation - OS Build Blueprint


[customizations.services]
enabled = ["sshd"]

Remediation - Ansible

- name: Enable service sshd
  block:

  - name: Gather the package facts
    package_facts:
      manager: auto