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Add noexec Option to /var

An XCCDF Rule

Description

The noexec mount option can be used to prevent binaries from being executed out of /var. Add the noexec option to the fourth column of /etc/fstab for the line which controls mounting of /var.

Rationale

The /var directory contains variable system data such as logs, mails and caches. No binaries should be executed from this directory.

ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_mount_option_var_noexec
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



Remediation - Anaconda Pre-Install Instructions


part /var --mountoptions="noexec"

Remediation - Shell Script

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if ( [ ! -f /.dockerenv ] && [ ! -f /run/.containerenv ] && findmnt --kernel "/var" > /dev/null || findmnt --fstab "/var" > /dev/null ); then

function perform_remediation {
    
        # the mount point /var has to be defined in /etc/fstab

Remediation - Ansible

- name: 'Add noexec Option to /var: Check information associated to mountpoint'
  command: findmnt --fstab '/var'
  register: device_name
  failed_when: device_name.rc > 1
  changed_when: false
  when: ( ansible_virtualization_type not in ["docker", "lxc", "openvz", "podman",