12.1 Ensure the AppArmor Framework Is Enabled

Information

AppArmor is a Linux kernel security module that provides a named based mandatory access control with security policies. AppArmor can enforce rules on programs for file access and network connections and restrict actions based on defined policies.

Rationale:

Web applications and web services continue to be one of the leading attack vectors for black-hat criminals to gain access to information and servers. The threat is high because web servers are often externally accessible and typically have the greatest share of server-side vulnerabilities. The AppArmor mandatory access controls provide a much stronger security model which can be used to implement a deny-by-default model which only allows what is explicitly permitted.

Solution

Perform the following to implement the recommended state:
- If the 'aa-status' command is not found, then the AppArmor package is not installed and needs to be installed using the appropriate the Linux distribution package management. For example:

# apt-get install apparmor
# apt-get install libapache2-mod-apparmor

- To enable the AppArmor framework run the 'init.d' script as shown below.

# /etc/init.d/apparmor start

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2381