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cis-ubuntu1204-v110-2-6

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Bind Mount the /var/tmp directory to /tmp

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2.6 Bind Mount the /var/tmp directory to /tmp (Scored)

Profile Applicability

  • Level 1

Description

The /var/tmp directory is normally a standalone directory in the /var file system. Binding /var/tmp to /tmp establishes an unbreakable link to /tmp that cannot be removed (even by the root user). It also allows /var/tmp to inherit the same mount options that /tmp owns, allowing /var/tmp to be protected in the same manner /tmp is protected. It will also prevent /var from filling up with temporary files as the contents of /var/tmp will actually reside in the file system containing /tmp.

Rationale

All programs that use /var/tmp and /tmp to read/write temporary files will always be written to the /tmp file system, preventing a user from running the /var file system out of space or trying to perform operations that have been blocked in the /tmp filesystem.

Audit Procedure

Using Command Line

grep -e "^/tmp" /etc/fstab | grep /var/tmp
mount | grep -e "^/tmp" | grep /var/tmp

Expected Result

The expected output is:

/tmp /var/tmp none bind 0 0
/tmp on /var/tmp type none (rw,bind)

If the above commands emit no output then the system is not configured as recommended.

Remediation

Using Command Line

mount --bind /tmp /var/tmp

Edit the /etc/fstab file to contain the following line:

/tmp /var/tmp none bind 0 0

Default Value

By default, /var/tmp is not bind mounted to /tmp.

References

  • CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0

Profile

Level 1 - Scored