2.3 Disable PostgreSQL Command History

Information

On Linux/UNIX, the PostgreSQL client logs most interactive statements to a history file.The default PostgreSQL history file is named .psql_history in the user's home directory.

The PostgreSQL command history should be disabled.

Disabling the PostgreSQL command history reduces the probability of exposingsensitive information, such as passwords, encryption keys, or sensitive data.

Solution

For each OS user on the PostgreSQL server, perform the following steps to implement this setting:

-

Remove .psql_history if it exists.

rm -f ~<user>/.psql_history || true
-

Use either of the techniques below to prevent it from being created again:

- Set the HISTFILE variable to /dev/null in ~<user>/.psqlrc cat << EOF >> ~<user>/.psqlrc\set HISTFILE /dev/nullEOF
- Create ~<user>/.psql_history as a symbolic to /dev/null . ln -s /dev/null $HOME/.psql_history

-

Set the PSQL_HISTORY variable for all users:

sudo echo 'PSQL_HISTORY=/dev/null' >> /etc/environment

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/22345

Item Details

Category: MEDIA PROTECTION

References: 800-53|MP-6

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: ae00ae63cbee3717d292893ac7d64b1897a91f13a1e85ee8b8f44853450faf43