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CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 1.5.3 Ensure address space layout randomization (ASLR) is enabled

DevOps & Security
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Verify that ASLR is enabled to randomize process memory layout and mitigate exploits

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike/blob/HEAD/.cyberstrike/skill/CIS_benchmarks/Operating_Systems/Ubuntu/CIS_Ubuntu_Linux_14.04_LTS_Benchmark_v2.1.0/cis-ubuntu1404-v210-1-5-3/SKILL.md

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1.5.3 Ensure address space layout randomization (ASLR) is enabled (Scored)

Profile Applicability

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 1 - Workstation

Description

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.

Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify output matches:

sysctl kernel.randomize_va_space
# Expected: kernel.randomize_va_space = 2
grep "kernel\.randomize_va_space" /etc/sysctl.conf /etc/sysctl.d/*
# Expected: kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

Expected Result

kernel.randomize_va_space = 2
kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

Remediation

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

Default Value

kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

References

  • CIS Controls: 8.4 Enable Anti-exploitation Features (i.e. DEP, ASLR, EMET)

Profile

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 1 - Workstation