ALMA-09-040830 - AlmaLinux OS 9 must restrict exposed kernel pointer addresses access.

Information

Exposing kernel pointers (through procfs or "seq_printf()") exposes kernel writeable structures, which may contain functions pointers. If a write vulnerability occurs in the kernel, allowing write access to any of this structure, the kernel can be compromised.

This option disallows any program without the CAP_SYSLOG capability to get the addresses of kernel pointers by replacing them with "0".

Solution

Configure AlmaLinux OS 9 to restrict exposed kernel pointer addresses access with the following command:

$ echo "kernel.kptr_restrict = 1" > /etc/sysctl.d/60-kptr.conf

Load settings from all system configuration files with the following command:

$ sysctl --system

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_CL_AlmaLinux_OS_9_V1R1_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-2, CAT|II, CCI|CCI-001082, Rule-ID|SV-269423r1050306_rule, STIG-ID|ALMA-09-040830, Vuln-ID|V-269423

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 0db735bdba2084f61dfa102c19e3c2f3a2980bbcf51bbbcd8fde9c7f68d0c4b5