OL07-00-040201 - The Oracle Linux operating system must implement virtual address space randomization - sysctl

Information

Address space layout randomization (ASLR) makes it more difficult for an attacker to predict the location of attack code introduced into a process's address space during an attempt at exploitation. Additionally, ASLR also makes it more difficult for an attacker to know the location of existing code in order to repurpose it using return-oriented programming (ROP) techniques.

Solution

Configure the operating system implement virtual address space randomization.

Set the system to the required kernel parameter by adding the following line to '/etc/sysctl.conf' or a config file in the /etc/sysctl.d/ directory (or modify the line to have the required value):

kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

Issue the following command to make the changes take effect:

# sysctl --system

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_Oracle_Linux_7_V2R4_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-16, CAT|II, CCI|CCI-002824, CSCv6|3.1, Rule-ID|SV-221846r603260_rule, STIG-ID|OL07-00-040201, STIG-Legacy|SV-108535, STIG-Legacy|V-99431, Vuln-ID|V-221846

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: aa04b1f61509113f4ce5b360018f51c1c7874f50c52ca18a5ba3dbd19477bddd