Skip to content
Log In

Disable SSH Server If Possible

An XCCDF Rule

Description

The SSH server service, sshd, is commonly needed. However, if it can be disabled, do so. This is unusual, as SSH is a common method for encrypted and authenticated remote access.
ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_service_sshd_disabled
Severity
High
References
Updated

Remediation Templates

A Puppet Snippet

include disable_sshd
class disable_sshd {
  service {'sshd':
    enable => false,
    ensure => 'stopped',
  }
}

OS Build Blueprint

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

A Kubernetes Patch

apiVersion: machineconfiguration.openshift.io/v1
kind: MachineConfig
spec:
  config:
    ignition:
      version: 3.1.0

script:kickstart

service disable sshd

An Ansible Snippet

- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-CM-3(6)
  - NIST-800-53-IA-2(4)

A Shell Script

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if rpm --quiet -q kernel; then
SYSTEMCTL_EXEC='/usr/bin/systemctl'
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" stop 'sshd.service'
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" disable 'sshd.service'
"$SYSTEMCTL_EXEC" mask 'sshd.service'