6.3 Ensure removal of software components after update

Information

The operating system must remove all software components after updated versions have been installed.

Rationale:

Previous versions of software components that are not removed from the information system after updates have been installed may be exploited by adversaries. Some information technology products may remove older versions of software automatically from the information system.

Solution

Configure the operating system to remove all software components after updated versions have been installed.
Set the clean_requirements_on_remove option to 1 in the /etc/yum.conf file:
Example: vim /etc/yum.conf
Add, uncomment or update the following line:

clean_requirements_on_remove=1

Notes:

This Benchmark recommendation maps to:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide:

Version 2, Release: 3 Benchmark Date: 26 Apr 2019



Vul ID: V-71987

Rule ID: SV-86611r2_rule

STIG ID: RHEL-07-020200

Severity: CAT III

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2688

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-2(6)

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 7a5dad8e3284ecf64b240109b01edca6dbfcfd24cf0e880afb460ab41e33e4cb