AIX7-00-002096 - AIX must encrypt user data at rest using AIX Encrypted File System (EFS) if it is required - EFS enabled

Information

The AIX Encrypted File System (EFS) is a J2 filesystem-level encryption through individual key stores. This allows for file encryption in order to protect confidential data from attackers with physical access to the computer. User authentication and access control lists can protect files from unauthorized access (even from root user) while the operating system is running.

Operating systems handling data requiring 'data at rest' protections must employ cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure and modification of the information at rest.

Selection of a cryptographic mechanism is based on the need to protect the integrity of organizational information. The strength of the mechanism is commensurate with the security category and/or classification of the information. Organizations have the flexibility to either encrypt all information on storage devices (i.e., full disk encryption) or encrypt specific data structures (e.g., files, records, or fields).

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227, SRG-OS-000405-GPOS-00184, SRG-OS-000404-GPOS-00183

NOTE: Nessus has provided the target output to assist in reviewing the benchmark to ensure target compliance.

Solution

Install 'clic.rte' filesets from AIX DVD Volume 1 using the following commands (assuming that the DVD device is /dev/cd0):
# installp -aXYgd /dev/cd0 -e /tmp/install.log clic.rte.lib
# installp -aXYgd /dev/cd0 -e /tmp/install.log clic.rte.kernext

Run the follow command to initialize and enable EFS on the system:
# efsenable -a

To create a new EFS-enabled JFS2 file system and mount the file system, using the following commands:
# crfs -v jfs2 -g rootvg -m /fs2 -a size=100M -a efs=yes
# mount /fs2

To enable EFS on a JFS2 file system (like, /fs3), run the following command:
chfs -a efs=yes /fs3

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_IBM_AIX_7-x_V2R1_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-28(1), CAT|II, CCI|CCI-000366, CCI|CCI-002475, CCI|CCI-002476, Rule-ID|SV-215283r508663_rule, STIG-ID|AIX7-00-002096, STIG-Legacy|SV-101821, STIG-Legacy|V-91723, Vuln-ID|V-215283

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 5b545eab730e3265370c414ebd53761381820f052f32dc1941bf0e450807864f