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← Back to Amazon Linux 2023 Security Technical Implementation Guide

V-274061

CAT II (Medium)

Amazon Linux 2023 must implement certificate status checking for multifactor authentication.

Rule ID

SV-274061r1120171_rule

STIG

Amazon Linux 2023 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R3

CCIs

CCI-004046, CCI-001954

Discussion

Using an authentication device, such as a DOD Common Access Card (CAC) or token that is separate from the information system, ensures that even if the information system is compromised, credentials stored on the authentication device will not be affected. Multifactor solutions that require devices separate from information systems gaining access include, for example, hardware tokens providing time-based or challenge-response authenticators and smart cards such as the U.S. Government Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card and the DOD CAC. Amazon Linux 2023 includes multiple options for configuring certificate status checking, but for this requirement focuses on the System Security Services Daemon (SSSD). By default, SSSD performs Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) checking and certificate verification using a sha256 digest function. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000375-GPOS-00160, SRG-OS-000377-GPOS-00162

Check Content

Note: If the system administrator (SA) demonstrates the use of an approved alternate multifactor authentication method, this requirement is not applicable.

Verify Amazon Linux 2023 implements Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) and is using the proper digest value on the system with the following command:

$ sudo grep -ir certificate_verification /etc/sssd/sssd.conf /etc/sssd/conf.d/ | grep -v "^#"
certificate_verification = ocsp_dgst=sha512

If the certificate_verification line is missing from the [sssd] section, or is missing "ocsp_dgst=sha512", ask the administrator to indicate what type of multifactor authentication is being utilized and how the system implements certificate status checking. 

If there is no evidence of certificate status checking being used, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure Amazon Linux 2023 to implement certificate status checking for multifactor authentication.

Review the "/etc/sssd/conf.d/certificate_verification.conf" file to determine if the system is configured to prevent OCSP or certificate verification.

Add the following line to the "/etc/sssd/conf.d/certificate_verification.conf" file:

certificate_verification = ocsp_dgst=sha512

Set the correct ownership and permissions on the "/etc/sssd/conf.d/certificate_verification.conf" file by running these commands:

$ sudo chown root:root "/etc/sssd/conf.d/certificate_verification.conf"
$ sudo chmod 600 "/etc/sssd/conf.d/certificate_verification.conf"

The "sssd" service must be restarted for the changes to take effect. To restart the "sssd" service, run the following command:

$ sudo systemctl restart sssd.service