Guide to the Secure Configuration of AlmaLinux OS 9

with profile Standard System Security Profile for AlmaLinux OS 9
This profile contains rules to ensure standard security baseline of an AlmaLinux OS 9 system. Regardless of your system's workload all of these checks should pass.
The SCAP Security Guide Project
https://www.open-scap.org/security-policies/scap-security-guide
This guide presents a catalog of security-relevant configuration settings for AlmaLinux OS 9. It is a rendering of content structured in the eXtensible Configuration Checklist Description Format (XCCDF) in order to support security automation. The SCAP content is is available in the scap-security-guide package which is developed at https://www.open-scap.org/security-policies/scap-security-guide.

Providing system administrators with such guidance informs them how to securely configure systems under their control in a variety of network roles. Policy makers and baseline creators can use this catalog of settings, with its associated references to higher-level security control catalogs, in order to assist them in security baseline creation. This guide is a catalog, not a checklist, and satisfaction of every item is not likely to be possible or sensible in many operational scenarios. However, the XCCDF format enables granular selection and adjustment of settings, and their association with OVAL and OCIL content provides an automated checking capability. Transformations of this document, and its associated automated checking content, are capable of providing baselines that meet a diverse set of policy objectives. Some example XCCDF Profiles, which are selections of items that form checklists and can be used as baselines, are available with this guide. They can be processed, in an automated fashion, with tools that support the Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP). The DISA STIG, which provides required settings for US Department of Defense systems, is one example of a baseline created from this guidance.
Do not attempt to implement any of the settings in this guide without first testing them in a non-operational environment. The creators of this guidance assume no responsibility whatsoever for its use by other parties, and makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, about its quality, reliability, or any other characteristic.

Profile Information

Profile TitleStandard System Security Profile for AlmaLinux OS 9
Profile IDxccdf_org.ssgproject.content_profile_standard

CPE Platforms

  • cpe:/o:almalinux:almalinux:9

Revision History

Current version: 0.1.83

  • draft (as of 2026-10-27)

Table of Contents

  1. System Settings
    1. Installing and Maintaining Software
  2. Services
    1. SSH Server

Checklist

Group   Guide to the Secure Configuration of AlmaLinux OS 9   Group contains 9 groups and 6 rules
Group   System Settings   Group contains 5 groups and 5 rules
[ref]   Contains rules that check correct system settings.
Group   Installing and Maintaining Software   Group contains 4 groups and 5 rules
[ref]   The following sections contain information on security-relevant choices during the initial operating system installation process and the setup of software updates.
Group   System and Software Integrity   Group contains 2 groups and 1 rule
[ref]   System and software integrity can be gained by installing antivirus, increasing system encryption strength with FIPS, verifying installed software, enabling SELinux, installing an Intrusion Prevention System, etc. However, installing or enabling integrity checking tools cannot prevent intrusions, but they can detect that an intrusion may have occurred. Requirements for integrity checking may be highly dependent on the environment in which the system will be used. Snapshot-based approaches such as AIDE may induce considerable overhead in the presence of frequent software updates.
Group   Software Integrity Checking   Group contains 1 group and 1 rule
[ref]   Both the AIDE (Advanced Intrusion Detection Environment) software and the RPM package management system provide mechanisms for verifying the integrity of installed software. AIDE uses snapshots of file metadata (such as hashes) and compares these to current system files in order to detect changes.

The RPM package management system can conduct integrity checks by comparing information in its metadata database with files installed on the system.
Group   Verify Integrity with RPM   Group contains 1 rule
[ref]   The RPM package management system includes the ability to verify the integrity of installed packages by comparing the installed files with information about the files taken from the package metadata stored in the RPM database. Although an attacker could corrupt the RPM database (analogous to attacking the AIDE database as described above), this check can still reveal modification of important files. To list which files on the system differ from what is expected by the RPM database: 
$ rpm -qVa
See the man page for rpm to see a complete explanation of each column.

Rule   Verify and Correct File Permissions with RPM   [ref]

The RPM package management system can check file access permissions of installed software packages, including many that are important to system security. Verify that the file permissions of system files and commands match vendor values. Check the file permissions with the following command: 
$ sudo rpm -Va | awk '{ if (substr($0,2,1)=="M") print $NF }'
Output indicates files that do not match vendor defaults. After locating a file with incorrect permissions, run the following command to determine which package owns it: 
$ rpm -qf FILENAME

Next, run the following command to reset its permissions to the correct values: 
$ sudo rpm --restore PACKAGENAME
Warning:  Profiles may require that specific files have stricter file permissions than defined by the vendor. Such files will be reported as a finding and need to be evaluated according to your policy and deployment environment.
Warning:  This rule can take a long time to perform the check and might consume a considerable amount of resources depending on the number of packages present on the system. It is not a problem in most cases, but especially systems with a large number of installed packages can be affected.
Rationale:
Permissions on system binaries and configuration files that are too generous could allow an unauthorized user to gain privileges that they should not have. The permissions set by the vendor should be maintained. Any deviations from this baseline should be investigated.
Severity: 
high
Rule ID:xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_rpm_verify_permissions
References:
cis-csc1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 3, 5, 6, 9
cjis5.10.4.1
cobit5APO01.06, APO11.04, BAI03.05, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS05.04, DSS05.07, DSS06.02, MEA02.01
hipaa164.308(a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.312(b), 164.312(c)(1), 164.312(c)(2), 164.312(e)(2)(i)
isa-62443-20094.3.3.3.9, 4.3.3.5.8, 4.3.3.7.3, 4.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, 4.3.4.4.7, 4.4.2.1, 4.4.2.2, 4.4.2.4
isa-62443-2013SR 2.1, SR 2.10, SR 2.11, SR 2.12, SR 2.8, SR 2.9, SR 5.2, SR 7.6
iso27001-2013A.10.1.1, A.11.1.4, A.11.1.5, A.11.2.1, A.12.1.2, A.12.4.1, A.12.4.2, A.12.4.3, A.12.4.4, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.12.7.1, A.13.1.1, A.13.1.3, A.13.2.1, A.13.2.3, A.13.2.4, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4, A.6.1.2, A.7.1.1, A.7.1.2, A.7.3.1, A.8.2.2, A.8.2.3, A.9.1.1, A.9.1.2, A.9.2.3, A.9.4.1, A.9.4.4, A.9.4.5
nerc-cipCIP-003-8 R4.2, CIP-003-8 R6, CIP-007-3 R4, CIP-007-3 R4.1, CIP-007-3 R4.2
nistCM-6(d), CM-6(c), SI-7, SI-7(1), SI-7(6), AU-9(3), CM-6(a)
nist-csfPR.AC-4, PR.DS-5, PR.IP-1, PR.PT-1
pcidssReq-11.5
os-srgSRG-OS-000256-GPOS-00097, SRG-OS-000257-GPOS-00098, SRG-OS-000258-GPOS-00099, SRG-OS-000278-GPOS-00108
ism1409
pcidss411.5.2

Complexity:high
Disruption:medium
Reboot:false
Strategy:restrict
- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - NIST-800-53-AU-9(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(c)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(d)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7(1)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7(6)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-11.5
  - PCI-DSSv4-11.5.2
  - high_complexity
  - high_severity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy
  - rpm_verify_permissions

- name: Read list of files with incorrect permissions
  ansible.builtin.command: rpm -Va --nodeps --nosignature --nofiledigest --nosize
    --nomtime --nordev --nocaps --nolinkto --nouser --nogroup
  register: files_with_incorrect_permissions
  failed_when: files_with_incorrect_permissions.rc > 1
  changed_when: false
  check_mode: false
  when: not ( "kernel" in ansible_facts.packages and "bootc" in ansible_facts.packages
    and not "openshift-kubelet" in ansible_facts.packages and "ostree" in ansible_proc_cmdline
    )
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - NIST-800-53-AU-9(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(c)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(d)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7(1)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7(6)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-11.5
  - PCI-DSSv4-11.5.2
  - high_complexity
  - high_severity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy
  - rpm_verify_permissions

- name: Create list of packages
  ansible.builtin.command: rpm -qf "{{ item }}"
  with_items: '{{ files_with_incorrect_permissions.stdout_lines | map(''regex_findall'',
    ''^[.]+[M]+.* (\/.*)'', ''\1'') | map(''join'') | select(''match'', ''(\/.*)'')
    | list | unique }}'
  register: list_of_packages
  changed_when: false
  check_mode: false
  when:
  - not ( "kernel" in ansible_facts.packages and "bootc" in ansible_facts.packages
    and not "openshift-kubelet" in ansible_facts.packages and "ostree" in ansible_proc_cmdline
    )
  - (files_with_incorrect_permissions.stdout_lines | length > 0)
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - NIST-800-53-AU-9(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(c)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(d)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7(1)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7(6)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-11.5
  - PCI-DSSv4-11.5.2
  - high_complexity
  - high_severity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy
  - rpm_verify_permissions

- name: Correct file permissions with RPM
  ansible.builtin.command: rpm --restore '{{ item }}'
  changed_when: true
  with_items: '{{ list_of_packages.results | map(attribute=''stdout_lines'') | list
    | unique }}'
  when:
  - not ( "kernel" in ansible_facts.packages and "bootc" in ansible_facts.packages
    and not "openshift-kubelet" in ansible_facts.packages and "ostree" in ansible_proc_cmdline
    )
  - (files_with_incorrect_permissions.stdout_lines | length > 0)
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - NIST-800-53-AU-9(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(c)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(d)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7(1)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7(6)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-11.5
  - PCI-DSSv4-11.5.2
  - high_complexity
  - high_severity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy
  - rpm_verify_permissions

Complexity:high
Disruption:medium
Reboot:false
Strategy:restrict
# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if ! ( { rpm --quiet -q kernel ;} && { rpm --quiet -q bootc ;} && { ! rpm --quiet -q openshift-kubelet ;} && ([ -f /run/ostree-booted ] || [ -L /ostree ]) ); then

# Declare array to hold set of RPM packages we need to correct permissions for
declare -A SETPERMS_RPM_DICT

# Create a list of files on the system having permissions different from what
# is expected by the RPM database
readarray -t FILES_WITH_INCORRECT_PERMS < <(rpm -Va --nofiledigest | awk '{ if (substr($0,2,1)=="M") print $NF }')

for FILE_PATH in "${FILES_WITH_INCORRECT_PERMS[@]}"
do
        # NOTE: some files maybe controlled by more then one package
        readarray -t RPM_PACKAGES < <(rpm -qf "${FILE_PATH}")
        for RPM_PACKAGE in "${RPM_PACKAGES[@]}"
        do
                # Use an associative array to store packages as it's keys, not having to care about duplicates.
                SETPERMS_RPM_DICT["$RPM_PACKAGE"]=1
        done
done

# For each of the RPM packages left in the list -- reset its permissions to the
# correct values
for RPM_PACKAGE in "${!SETPERMS_RPM_DICT[@]}"
do
	rpm --restore "${RPM_PACKAGE}"
done

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
Group   Updating Software   Group contains 4 rules
[ref]   The dnf command line tool is used to install and update software packages. The system also provides a graphical software update tool in the System menu, in the Administration submenu, called Software Update.

AlmaLinux OS 9 systems contain an installed software catalog called the RPM database, which records metadata of installed packages. Consistently using dnf or the graphical Software Update for all software installation allows for insight into the current inventory of installed software on the system.

Rule   Ensure AlmaLinux GPG Key Installed   [ref]

To ensure the system can cryptographically verify base software packages come from AlmaLinux (and to connect to the AlmaLinux repositories to receive them), the AlmaLinux GPG key must be properly installed. To install the AlmaLinux GPG key, run: 
$ sudo rpm --import /etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux-9
Rationale:
Changes to software components can have significant effects on the overall security of the operating system. This requirement ensures the software has not been tampered with and that it has been provided by a trusted vendor. The AlmaLinux GPG key is necessary to cryptographically verify packages are from AlmaLinux.
Severity: 
high
Rule ID:xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_ensure_almalinux_gpgkey_installed
References:
cis-csc11, 2, 3, 9
cjis5.10.4.1
cobit5APO01.06, BAI03.05, BAI06.01, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS06.02
hipaa164.308(a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.312(b), 164.312(c)(1), 164.312(c)(2), 164.312(e)(2)(i)
isa-62443-20094.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, 4.3.4.4.4
isa-62443-2013SR 3.1, SR 3.3, SR 3.4, SR 3.8, SR 7.6
iso27001-2013A.11.2.4, A.12.1.2, A.12.2.1, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4
nerc-cipCIP-003-8 R4.2, CIP-003-8 R6, CIP-007-3 R4, CIP-007-3 R4.1, CIP-007-3 R4.2, CIP-007-3 R5.1
nistCM-5(3), SI-7, SC-12, SC-12(3), CM-6(a)
nist-csfPR.DS-6, PR.DS-8, PR.IP-1
osppFPT_TUD_EXT.1, FPT_TUD_EXT.2
pcidssReq-6.2
os-srgSRG-OS-000366-GPOS-00153
anssiR59
pcidss46.3.3, 6.3
stigidALMA-09-009700
stigrefSV-269164r1261589_rule
stigref_vulnerability_idV-269164

Complexity:medium
Disruption:medium
Reboot:false
Strategy:restrict
- name: Read permission of GPG key directory
  ansible.builtin.stat:
    path: /etc/pki/rpm-gpg/
  register: gpg_key_directory_permission
  check_mode: false
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-009700
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - ensure_almalinux_gpgkey_installed
  - high_severity
  - medium_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy

- name: Read signatures in GPG key
  ansible.builtin.command: gpg --show-keys --with-fingerprint --with-colons "/etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux-9"
  changed_when: false
  register: gpg_fingerprints
  check_mode: false
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-009700
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - ensure_almalinux_gpgkey_installed
  - high_severity
  - medium_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy

- name: Set Fact - Installed GPG Fingerprints
  ansible.builtin.set_fact:
    gpg_installed_fingerprints: |-
      {{ gpg_fingerprints.stdout | regex_findall('^pub.*
      (?:^fpr[:]*)([0-9A-Fa-f]*)', '\1') | list }}
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-009700
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - ensure_almalinux_gpgkey_installed
  - high_severity
  - medium_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy

- name: Set Fact - Valid fingerprints
  ansible.builtin.set_fact:
    gpg_valid_fingerprints:
    - BF18AC2876178908D6E71267D36CB86CB86B3716
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-009700
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - ensure_almalinux_gpgkey_installed
  - high_severity
  - medium_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy

- name: Import AlmaLinux GPG key
  ansible.builtin.rpm_key:
    state: present
    key: /etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux-9
  when:
  - gpg_key_directory_permission.stat.mode <= '0755'
  - (gpg_installed_fingerprints | difference(gpg_valid_fingerprints)) | length ==
    0
  - gpg_installed_fingerprints | length > 0
  - ansible_distribution == "AlmaLinux" and ansible_distribution_version == "9"
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-009700
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - ensure_almalinux_gpgkey_installed
  - high_severity
  - medium_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy


readonly ALMALINUX_RELEASE_FINGERPRINT="BF18AC2876178908D6E71267D36CB86CB86B3716"

# Location of the key we would like to import (once it's integrity verified)
readonly ALMALINUX_RELEASE_KEY="/etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux-9"

RPM_GPG_DIR_PERMS=$(stat -c %a "$(dirname "$ALMALINUX_RELEASE_KEY")")

# Verify /etc/pki/rpm-gpg directory permissions are safe
if [ "${RPM_GPG_DIR_PERMS}" -le "755" ]
then
  # If they are safe, try to obtain fingerprints from the key file
  # (to ensure there won't be e.g. CRC error).
  readarray -t GPG_OUT < <(gpg --show-keys --with-fingerprint --with-colons "$ALMALINUX_RELEASE_KEY" | grep -A1 "^pub" | grep "^fpr" | cut -d ":" -f 10)
  GPG_RESULT=$?
  # No CRC error, safe to proceed
  if [ "${GPG_RESULT}" -eq "0" ]
  then
    echo "${GPG_OUT[*]}" | grep -vE "${ALMALINUX_RELEASE_FINGERPRINT}" || {
      # If $ALMALINUX_RELEASE_KEY file doesn't contain any keys with unknown fingerprint, import it
      rpm --import "${ALMALINUX_RELEASE_KEY}"
    }
  fi
fi

Rule   Ensure gpgcheck Enabled In Main dnf Configuration   [ref]

The gpgcheck option controls whether RPM packages' signatures are always checked prior to installation. To configure dnf to check package signatures before installing them, ensure the following line appears in /etc/dnf/dnf.conf in the [main] section: 
gpgcheck=1
Rationale:
Changes to any software components can have significant effects on the overall security of the operating system. This requirement ensures the software has not been tampered with and that it has been provided by a trusted vendor.
Accordingly, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components must be signed with a certificate recognized and approved by the organization.
Verifying the authenticity of the software prior to installation validates the integrity of the patch or upgrade received from a vendor. This ensures the software has not been tampered with and that it has been provided by a trusted vendor. Self-signed certificates are disallowed by this requirement. Certificates used to verify the software must be from an approved Certificate Authority (CA).
Severity: 
high
Rule ID:xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_ensure_gpgcheck_globally_activated
References:
cis-csc11, 2, 3, 9
cjis5.10.4.1
cobit5APO01.06, BAI03.05, BAI06.01, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS06.02
hipaa164.308(a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.312(b), 164.312(c)(1), 164.312(c)(2), 164.312(e)(2)(i)
isa-62443-20094.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, 4.3.4.4.4
isa-62443-2013SR 3.1, SR 3.3, SR 3.4, SR 3.8, SR 7.6
iso27001-2013A.11.2.4, A.12.1.2, A.12.2.1, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4
nistCM-5(3), SI-7, SC-12, SC-12(3), CM-6(a), SA-12, SA-12(10), CM-11(a), CM-11(b)
nist-csfPR.DS-6, PR.DS-8, PR.IP-1
osppFPT_TUD_EXT.1, FPT_TUD_EXT.2
pcidssReq-6.2
os-srgSRG-OS-000366-GPOS-00153
anssiR59
cis1.2.1.2
ism1493
pcidss46.3.3, 6.3
stigidALMA-09-009590
stigrefSV-269163r1261588_rule
stigref_vulnerability_idV-269163

Complexity:low
Disruption:medium
Reboot:false
Strategy:configure
- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-009590
  - NIST-800-53-CM-11(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-11(b)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SA-12
  - NIST-800-53-SA-12(10)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - configure_strategy
  - ensure_gpgcheck_globally_activated
  - high_severity
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Ensure GPG check is globally activated
  community.general.ini_file:
    dest: /etc/dnf/dnf.conf
    section: main
    option: gpgcheck
    value: 1
    no_extra_spaces: true
    create: false
  when: '"dnf" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-009590
  - NIST-800-53-CM-11(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-11(b)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SA-12
  - NIST-800-53-SA-12(10)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - configure_strategy
  - ensure_gpgcheck_globally_activated
  - high_severity
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed


# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if rpm --quiet -q dnf; then

# Strip any search characters in the key arg so that the key can be replaced without
# adding any search characters to the config file.
stripped_key=$(sed 's/[\^=\$,;+]*//g' <<< "^gpgcheck")

# shellcheck disable=SC2059
printf -v formatted_output "%s = %s" "$stripped_key" "1"

# If the key exists, change it. Otherwise, add it to the config_file.
# We search for the key string followed by a word boundary (matched by \>),
# so if we search for 'setting', 'setting2' won't match.
if LC_ALL=C grep -q -m 1 -i -e "^gpgcheck\\>" "/etc/dnf/dnf.conf"; then
    escaped_formatted_output=$(sed -e 's|/|\\/|g' <<< "$formatted_output")
    LC_ALL=C sed -i --follow-symlinks "s/^gpgcheck\\>.*/$escaped_formatted_output/gi" "/etc/dnf/dnf.conf"
else
    if [[ -s "/etc/dnf/dnf.conf" ]] && [[ -n "$(tail -c 1 -- "/etc/dnf/dnf.conf" || true)" ]]; then
        LC_ALL=C sed -i --follow-symlinks '$a'\\ "/etc/dnf/dnf.conf"
    fi
    printf '%s\n' "$formatted_output" >> "/etc/dnf/dnf.conf"
fi

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi

Rule   Ensure gpgcheck Enabled for All dnf Package Repositories   [ref]

To ensure signature checking is not disabled for any repos, remove any lines from files in /etc/yum.repos.d of the form: 
gpgcheck=0
Rationale:
Verifying the authenticity of the software prior to installation validates the integrity of the patch or upgrade received from a vendor. This ensures the software has not been tampered with and that it has been provided by a trusted vendor. Self-signed certificates are disallowed by this requirement. Certificates used to verify the software must be from an approved Certificate Authority (CA)."
Severity: 
high
Rule ID:xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_ensure_gpgcheck_never_disabled
References:
cis-csc11, 2, 3, 9
cjis5.10.4.1
cobit5APO01.06, BAI03.05, BAI06.01, BAI10.01, BAI10.02, BAI10.03, BAI10.05, DSS06.02
hipaa164.308(a)(1)(ii)(D), 164.312(b), 164.312(c)(1), 164.312(c)(2), 164.312(e)(2)(i)
isa-62443-20094.3.4.3.2, 4.3.4.3.3, 4.3.4.4.4
isa-62443-2013SR 3.1, SR 3.3, SR 3.4, SR 3.8, SR 7.6
iso27001-2013A.11.2.4, A.12.1.2, A.12.2.1, A.12.5.1, A.12.6.2, A.14.1.2, A.14.1.3, A.14.2.2, A.14.2.3, A.14.2.4
nistCM-5(3), SI-7, SC-12, SC-12(3), CM-6(a), SA-12, SA-12(10), CM-11(a), CM-11(b)
nist-csfPR.DS-6, PR.DS-8, PR.IP-1
osppFPT_TUD_EXT.1, FPT_TUD_EXT.2
pcidssReq-6.2
os-srgSRG-OS-000366-GPOS-00153
anssiR59
ism1493
pcidss46.3.3, 6.3
stigidALMA-09-010030
stigrefSV-269167r1261592_rule
stigref_vulnerability_idV-269167

Complexity:low
Disruption:medium
Reboot:false
Strategy:enable
- name: Grep for dnf repo section names
  ansible.builtin.shell: |
    set -o pipefail
    grep -HEr '^\[.+\]' -r /etc/yum.repos.d/
  register: repo_grep_results
  failed_when: repo_grep_results.rc not in [0, 1]
  changed_when: false
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-010030
  - NIST-800-53-CM-11(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-11(b)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SA-12
  - NIST-800-53-SA-12(10)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - enable_strategy
  - ensure_gpgcheck_never_disabled
  - high_severity
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed

- name: Set gpgcheck=1 for each dnf repo
  community.general.ini_file:
    path: '{{ item[0] }}'
    section: '{{ item[1] }}'
    option: gpgcheck
    value: '1'
    no_extra_spaces: true
    mode: '0644'
    owner: root
  loop: '{{ repo_grep_results.stdout |regex_findall( ''(.+\.repo):\[(.+)\]\n?'' )
    if repo_grep_results is not skipped else [] }}'
  when: repo_grep_results is not skipped
  tags:
  - CJIS-5.10.4.1
  - DISA-STIG-ALMA-09-010030
  - NIST-800-53-CM-11(a)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-11(b)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-5(3)
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - NIST-800-53-SA-12
  - NIST-800-53-SA-12(10)
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12
  - NIST-800-53-SC-12(3)
  - NIST-800-53-SI-7
  - PCI-DSS-Req-6.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3
  - PCI-DSSv4-6.3.3
  - enable_strategy
  - ensure_gpgcheck_never_disabled
  - high_severity
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - no_reboot_needed



sed -i 's/gpgcheck\s*=.*/gpgcheck=1/g' /etc/yum.repos.d/*

Rule   Ensure Software Patches Installed   [ref]

Run the following command to install updates: 
$ sudo yum update
If the system is not configured to use repos, updates (in the form of RPM packages) can be manually downloaded from the repos and installed using rpm.

NOTE: U.S. Defense systems are required to be patched within 30 days or sooner as local policy dictates.
Warning:  The OVAL feed of AlmaLinux OS 9 is not a XML file, which may not be understood by all scanners.
Rationale:
Installing software updates is a fundamental mitigation against the exploitation of publicly-known vulnerabilities. If the most recent security patches and updates are not installed, unauthorized users may take advantage of weaknesses in the unpatched software. The lack of prompt attention to patching could result in a system compromise.
Severity: 
medium
Rule ID:xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_security_patches_up_to_date
References:
cis-csc18, 20, 4
cjis5.10.4.1
cobit5APO12.01, APO12.02, APO12.03, APO12.04, BAI03.10, DSS05.01, DSS05.02
isa-62443-20094.2.3, 4.2.3.12, 4.2.3.7, 4.2.3.9
iso27001-2013A.12.6.1, A.14.2.3, A.16.1.3, A.18.2.2, A.18.2.3
nistSI-2(5), SI-2(c), CM-6(a)
nist-csfID.RA-1, PR.IP-12
osppFMT_MOF_EXT.1
pcidssReq-6.2
os-srgSRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227
anssiR61
ism1409
pcidss46.3.3, 6.3
stigidALMA-09-024330
stigrefSV-269295r1050177_rule
stigref_vulnerability_idV-269295
Group   Services   Group contains 2 groups and 1 rule
[ref]   The best protection against vulnerable software is running less software. This section describes how to review the software which AlmaLinux OS 9 installs on a system and disable software which is not needed. It then enumerates the software packages installed on a default AlmaLinux OS 9 system and provides guidance about which ones can be safely disabled.

AlmaLinux OS 9 provides a convenient minimal install option that essentially installs the bare necessities for a functional system. When building AlmaLinux OS 9 systems, it is highly recommended to select the minimal packages and then build up the system from there.
Group   SSH Server   Group contains 1 group and 1 rule
[ref]   The SSH protocol is recommended for remote login and remote file transfer. SSH provides confidentiality and integrity for data exchanged between two systems, as well as server authentication, through the use of public key cryptography. The implementation included with the system is called OpenSSH, and more detailed documentation is available from its website, https://www.openssh.com. Its server program is called sshd and provided by the RPM package openssh-server.
Group   Configure OpenSSH Server if Necessary   Group contains 1 rule
[ref]   If the system needs to act as an SSH server, then certain changes should be made to the OpenSSH daemon configuration file /etc/ssh/sshd_config. The following recommendations can be applied to this file. See the sshd_config(5) man page for more detailed information.
Red Hat and Red Hat Enterprise Linux are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.