1.5.2 Ensure address space layout randomization (ASLR) is enabled - sysctl.conf/sysctl.d

Information

Address space layout randomization (ASLR) is an exploit mitigation technique which randomly arranges the address space of key data areas of a process.

Rationale:

Randomly placing virtual memory regions will make it difficult to write memory page exploits as the memory placement will be consistently shifting.

Solution

Set the following parameter in /etc/sysctl.conf or a /etc/sysctl.d/* file:

kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

Run the following command to set the active kernel parameter:
# sysctl -w kernel.randomize_va_space=2

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2449

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-2, CSCv7|5.3

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 249dbf165af8d99f9fca89d1270960c0c861be273fc2c459d5f021d264bca3b6