V-204444

Discussion

Preventing nonprivileged users from executing privileged functions mitigates the risk that unauthorized individuals or processes may gain unnecessary access to information or privileges. Privileged functions include, for example, establishing accounts, performing system integrity checks, or administering cryptographic key management activities. Nonprivileged users are individuals who do not possess appropriate authorizations. Circumventing intrusion detection and prevention mechanisms or malicious code protection mechanisms are examples of privileged functions that require protection from nonprivileged users.

Check Content

Verify the operating system prevents non-privileged users from executing privileged functions to include disabling, circumventing, or altering implemented security safeguards/countermeasures.

Get a list of authorized users for the system.

Check the list against the system by using the following command:

     $ sudo semanage login -l | more

     Login Name    SELinux User    MLS/MCS Range    Service

     __default__   user_u                 s0-s0:c0.c1023        *
     root                   unconfined_u  s0-s0:c0.c1023        *
     system_u        system_u           s0-s0:c0.c1023        *
     joe                     staff_u                s0-s0:c0.c1023        *

All administrators must be mapped to the , "staff_u", or an appropriately tailored confined SELinux user as defined by the organization.

All authorized non-administrative users must be mapped to the "user_u" SELinux user.

If they are not mapped in this way, this is a finding.
If administrator accounts are mapped to the "sysadm_u" SELinux user and are not documented as an operational requirement with the ISSO, this is a finding.
If administrator accounts are mapped to the "sysadm_u" SELinux user and are documented as an operational requirement with the ISSO, this can be downgraded to a CAT III.