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← Back to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide

V-237643

CAT II (Medium)

RHEL 8 must require re-authentication when using the "sudo" command.

Rule ID

SV-237643r1262533_rule

STIG

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R9

CCIs

CCI-002038CCI-004895

Discussion

Without re-authentication, users may access resources or perform tasks for which they do not have authorization. When operating systems provide the capability to escalate a functional capability, it is critical the organization requires the user to re-authenticate when using the "sudo" command. If the value is set to an integer less than 0, the user's time stamp will not expire and the user will not have to re-authenticate for privileged actions until the user's session is terminated.

Check Content

Verify the operating system requires re-authentication when using the "sudo" command to elevate privileges.

$ sudo grep -ir 'timestamp_timeout' /etc/sudoers /etc/sudoers.d
/etc/sudoers:Defaults timestamp_timeout=0

If results are returned from more than one file location, this is a finding.

If "timestamp_timeout" is set to a value other than "0" (including negative numbers), is commented out, or is missing entirely, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the OS to reauthenticate every invocation of the "sudo" command.

Add the following line to "/etc/sudoers" or a file in "/etc/sudoers.d":

Defaults timestamp_timeout=0

Remove any duplicate definitions.