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V-271740

CAT II (Medium)

OL 9 must enable kernel parameters to enforce discretionary access control on hardlinks.

Rule ID

SV-271740r1091932_rule

STIG

Oracle Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R5

CCIs

CCI-002165 CCI-002235

Discussion

By enabling the fs.protected_hardlinks kernel parameter, users can no longer create soft or hard links to files they do not own. Disallowing such hardlinks mitigates vulnerabilities based on insecure file system accessed by privileged programs, avoiding an exploitation vector exploiting unsafe use of open() or creat(). Satisfies: SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00123, SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125

Check Content

Verify that OL 9 is configured to enable DAC on hardlinks.

Check the status of the fs.protected_hardlinks kernel parameter with the following command:

$ sudo sysctl fs.protected_hardlinks
fs.protected_hardlinks = 1

If "fs.protected_hardlinks" is not set to "1" or is missing, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure OL 9 to enable DAC on hardlinks with the following:

Add or edit the following line in a system configuration file in the "/etc/sysctl.d/" directory:

fs.protected_hardlinks = 1

Load settings from all system configuration files with the following command:

$ sudo sysctl --system