5.2.29 Ensrue SSH performs checks of home directory configuration files.

Information

The operating system must be configured so that the SSH daemon performs strict mode checking of home directory configuration files.

Rationale:

If other users have access to modify user-specific SSH configuration files, they may be able to log on to the system as another user.

Solution

Uncomment the StrictModes keyword in /etc/ssh/sshd_config (this file may be named differently or be in a different location if using a version of SSH that is provided by a third-party vendor) and set the value to yes:
Example: vim /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Add, uncomment or update the following line:

StrictModes yes

The SSH service must be restarted for changes to take effect.

# systemctl restart sshd.service

Notes:

This Benchmark recommendation maps to:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide:

Version 2, Release: 3 Benchmark Date: 26 Apr 2019



Vul ID: V-72263

Rule ID: SV-86887r3_rule

STIG ID: RHEL-07-040450

Severity: CAT II

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2688

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6b.

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 8237c9f643cc9f31215ad61bece1a8b3c364334f8b245eb39beb086eb9551fcb