RHEL-08-040021 - RHEL 8 must disable the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol.

Information

It is detrimental for operating systems to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives. These unnecessary capabilities or services are often overlooked and therefore may remain unsecured. They increase the risk to the platform by providing additional attack vectors.

Failing to disconnect unused protocols can result in a system compromise.

The Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is a protocol operating on network, data link, and physical layers, based on virtual circuits and virtual paths. Disabling ATM protects the system against exploitation of any laws in its implementation.

Solution

Configure the operating system to disable the ability to use the ATM protocol kernel module.

Add or update the following lines in the file '/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf':

install atm /bin/false
blacklist atm

Reboot the system for the settings to take effect.

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_RHEL_8_V2R1_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-7a., CAT|III, CCI|CCI-000381, Rule-ID|SV-230494r1017277_rule, STIG-ID|RHEL-08-040021, Vuln-ID|V-230494

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 2d62ef6a8c8b6ee6db6b20917f0a34423d4600fad46dbf1856b978a498cc7401