1.5.1 Ensure address space layout randomization (ASLR) is enabled - config

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:
Example:

# printf '
kernel.randomize_va_space = 2
' >> /etc/sysctl.d/60-kernel_sysctl.conf

Run the following command to set the active kernel parameter:

# sysctl -w kernel.randomize_va_space=2

Default Value:

kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/4068

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-16, CSCv7|8.3

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: c78a949b9f2ccbdeef0af8bc42afb88b98beef1139f96ace7304d6c7099bc3bb