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Disable graphical user interface

An XCCDF Rule

Description

By removing the following packages, the system no longer has X Windows installed. xorg-x11-server-Xorg xorg-x11-server-common xorg-x11-server-utils If X Windows is not installed then the system cannot boot into graphical user mode. This prevents the system from being accidentally or maliciously booted into a graphical.target mode. To do so, run the following command: 

sudo yum remove xorg-x11-server-Xorg xorg-x11-server-common xorg-x11-server-utils

warning alert: Functionality Warning

The installation and use of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) increases your attack vector and decreases your overall security posture. Removing the package xorg-x11-server-common package will remove the graphical target which might bring your system to an inconsistent state requiring additional configuration to access the system again. The rule xwindows_runlevel_target can be used to configure the system to boot into the multi-user.target. If a GUI is an operational requirement, a tailored profile that removes this rule should be used before continuing installation.

Rationale

Unnecessary service packages must not be installed to decrease the attack surface of the system. X windows has a long history of security vulnerabilities and should not be installed unless approved and documented.

ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_xwindows_remove_packages
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



Remediation - Shell Script



# remove packages
if rpm -q --quiet "xorg-x11-server-Xorg" ; then

    yum remove -y "xorg-x11-server-Xorg"

Remediation - Anaconda Pre-Install Instructions


package --remove=xorg-x11-server-Xorg --remove=xorg-x11-server-common --remove=xorg-x11-server-utils

Remediation - Ansible

- name: Ensure xorg packages are removed
  package:
    name:
    - xorg-x11-server-Xorg
    - xorg-x11-server-common
    - xorg-x11-server-utils