1.1.1.8 Ensure mounting of FAT filesystems is disabled

Information

The FAT filesystem format is primarily used on older windows systems and portable USB drives or flash modules. It comes in three types FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32 all of which are supported by the vfat kernel module. Removing support for unneeded filesystem types reduces the local attack surface of the system. If this filesystem type is not needed, disable it.

Solution

Edit or create the file /etc/modprobe.d/CIS.conf and add the following line: install vfat /bin/true

Run the following command to unload the vfat module: # rmmod vfat

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/1865

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-7

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 09f766e312da5eaf450df2d46743c87e426f99c10ccebe1945f3203a0a668e91