From c90ada3c398205227d906e2b2108d36d92edcf3c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Patrick Schleizer Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:37:23 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] pandoc -f markdown -t markdown --wrap=auto --columns=80 README.md -o README.md --- README.md | 588 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------------------------- 1 file changed, 318 insertions(+), 270 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 772fdf8..65b89ef 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -3,190 +3,204 @@ ## Kernel hardening This section is inspired by the Kernel Self Protection Project (KSPP). It -implements all recommended Linux kernel settings by the KSPP and many -more. +implements all recommended Linux kernel settings by the KSPP and many more. -* https://kernsec.org/wiki/index.php/Kernel_Self_Protection_Project +- https://kernsec.org/wiki/index.php/Kernel_Self_Protection_Project ### sysctl sysctl settings are configured via the `/etc/sysctl.d/30_security-misc.conf` configuration file. -* A kernel pointer points to a specific location in kernel memory. These -can be very useful in exploiting the kernel so they are restricted to `CAP_SYSLOG`. +- A kernel pointer points to a specific location in kernel memory. These can + be very useful in exploiting the kernel so they are restricted to + `CAP_SYSLOG`. -* The kernel logs are restricted to `CAP_SYSLOG` as they can often leak sensitive -information such as kernel pointers. +- The kernel logs are restricted to `CAP_SYSLOG` as they can often leak + sensitive information such as kernel pointers. -* The `ptrace()` system call is restricted to `CAP_SYS_PTRACE`. +- The `ptrace()` system call is restricted to `CAP_SYS_PTRACE`. -* eBPF is restricted to `CAP_BPF` (`CAP_SYS_ADMIN` on kernel versions prior -to 5.8) and JIT hardening techniques such as constant blinding are enabled. +- eBPF is restricted to `CAP_BPF` (`CAP_SYS_ADMIN` on kernel versions prior to + 5.8) and JIT hardening techniques such as constant blinding are enabled. -* Restricts performance events to `CAP_PERFMON` (`CAP_SYS_ADMIN` on kernel -versions prior to 5.8). +- Restricts performance events to `CAP_PERFMON` (`CAP_SYS_ADMIN` on kernel + versions prior to 5.8). -* Restricts loading line disciplines to `CAP_SYS_MODULE` to prevent unprivileged -attackers from loading vulnerable line disciplines with the `TIOCSETD` ioctl which -has been abused in a number of exploits before. +- Restricts loading line disciplines to `CAP_SYS_MODULE` to prevent + unprivileged attackers from loading vulnerable line disciplines with the + `TIOCSETD` ioctl which has been abused in a number of exploits before. -* Restricts the `userfaultfd()` syscall to `CAP_SYS_PTRACE` as `userfaultfd()` is -often abused to exploit use-after-free flaws. +- Restricts the `userfaultfd()` syscall to `CAP_SYS_PTRACE` as `userfaultfd()` + is often abused to exploit use-after-free flaws. -* Kexec is disabled as it can be used to load a malicious kernel and gain -arbitrary code execution in kernel mode. +- Kexec is disabled as it can be used to load a malicious kernel and gain + arbitrary code execution in kernel mode. -* Randomises the addresses for mmap base, heap, stack, and VDSO pages. +- Randomises the addresses for mmap base, heap, stack, and VDSO pages. -* Prevents unintentional writes to attacker-controlled files. +- Prevents unintentional writes to attacker-controlled files. -* Prevents common symlink and hardlink TOCTOU races. - -* Disables SysRq completely. +- Prevents common symlink and hardlink TOCTOU races. ``{=html} -* The kernel is only allowed to swap if it is absolutely necessary. This -prevents writing potentially sensitive contents of memory to disk. +- Disables SysRq completely. -* TCP timestamps are disabled as it can allow detecting the system time. +- The kernel is only allowed to swap if it is absolutely necessary. This + prevents writing potentially sensitive contents of memory to disk. -* Enforces the logging of martian packets, those with a source address which is blatantly wrong. +- TCP timestamps are disabled as it can allow detecting the system time. -* Set coredump file name based on core_pattern value instead of the default of naming it 'core'. +- Enforces the logging of martian packets, those with a source address which + is blatantly wrong. + +- Set coredump file name based on core_pattern value instead of the default of + naming it 'core'. ### mmap ASLR -* The bits of entropy used for mmap ASLR are maxed out via -`/usr/libexec/security-misc/mmap-rnd-bits` (set to the values of -`CONFIG_ARCH_MMAP_RND_BITS_MAX` and `CONFIG_ARCH_MMAP_RND_COMPAT_BITS_MAX` that -the kernel was built with), therefore improving its effectiveness. +- The bits of entropy used for mmap ASLR are maxed out via + `/usr/libexec/security-misc/mmap-rnd-bits` (set to the values of + `CONFIG_ARCH_MMAP_RND_BITS_MAX` and `CONFIG_ARCH_MMAP_RND_COMPAT_BITS_MAX` + that the kernel was built with), therefore improving its effectiveness. ### Boot parameters Boot parameters are outlined in configuration files located in the `etc/default/grub.d/` directory. -* Slab merging is disabled which significantly increases the difficulty of -heap exploitation by preventing overwriting objects from merged caches and -by making it harder to influence slab cache layout. +- Slab merging is disabled which significantly increases the difficulty of + heap exploitation by preventing overwriting objects from merged caches and + by making it harder to influence slab cache layout. -* Memory zeroing at allocation and free time is enabled to mitigate some -use-after-free vulnerabilities and erase sensitive information in memory. +- Memory zeroing at allocation and free time is enabled to mitigate some + use-after-free vulnerabilities and erase sensitive information in memory. -* Page allocator freelist randomization is enabled. +- Page allocator freelist randomization is enabled. -* Kernel Page Table Isolation is enabled to mitigate Meltdown and increase -KASLR effectiveness. +- Kernel Page Table Isolation is enabled to mitigate Meltdown and increase + KASLR effectiveness. -* vsyscalls are disabled as they are obsolete, are at fixed addresses and thus, -are a potential target for ROP. +- vsyscalls are disabled as they are obsolete, are at fixed addresses and + thus, are a potential target for ROP. -* The kernel panics on oopses to thwart certain kernel exploits. +- The kernel panics on oopses to thwart certain kernel exploits. -* Enables randomisation of the kernel stack offset on syscall entries. +- Enables randomisation of the kernel stack offset on syscall entries. -* All mitigations for known CPU vulnerabilities are enabled and SMT is -disabled. +- All mitigations for known CPU vulnerabilities are enabled and SMT is + disabled. -* IOMMU is enabled to prevent DMA attacks along with strict enforcement of IOMMU -TLB invalidation so devices will never be able to access stale data contents. +- IOMMU is enabled to prevent DMA attacks along with strict enforcement of + IOMMU TLB invalidation so devices will never be able to access stale data + contents. -* Distrust the 'randomly' generated CPU and bootloader seeds. +- Distrust the 'randomly' generated CPU and bootloader seeds. ### Kernel Modules + #### Kernel Module Signature Verification Not yet due to issues: -* https://forums.whonix.org/t/enforce-kernel-module-software-signature-verification-module-signing-disallow-kernel-module-loading-by-default/7880/64 -* https://github.com/dell/dkms/issues/359 +- https://forums.whonix.org/t/enforce-kernel-module-software-signature-verification-module-signing-disallow-kernel-module-loading-by-default/7880/64 +- https://github.com/dell/dkms/issues/359 See: -* `/etc/default/grub.d/40_only_allow_signed_modules.cfg` +- `/etc/default/grub.d/40_only_allow_signed_modules.cfg` #### Disables the loading of new modules to the kernel after the fact Not yet due to issues: -* https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/pull/152 +- https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/pull/152 -A systemd service dynamically sets the kernel parameter ```modules_disabled``` to 1, preventing new modules from being loaded. Since this isn't configured directly within systemctl, it does not break the loading of legitimate and necessary modules for the user, like drivers etc., given they are plugged in on startup. +A systemd service dynamically sets the kernel parameter `modules_disabled` to 1, +preventing new modules from being loaded. Since this isn't configured directly +within systemctl, it does not break the loading of legitimate and necessary +modules for the user, like drivers etc., given they are plugged in on startup. #### Disables and blacklists kernel modules -Certain kernel modules are disabled and blacklisted by default to reduce attack surface via the -`/etc/modprobe.d/30_security-misc.conf` configuration file. +Certain kernel modules are disabled and blacklisted by default to reduce attack +surface via the `/etc/modprobe.d/30_security-misc.conf` configuration file. -* Deactivates Netfilter's connection tracking helper - this module -increases kernel attack surface by enabling superfluous functionality -such as IRC parsing in the kernel. Hence, this feature is disabled. +- Deactivates Netfilter's connection tracking helper - this module increases + kernel attack surface by enabling superfluous functionality such as IRC + parsing in the kernel. Hence, this feature is disabled. -* Thunderbolt and numerous FireWire kernel modules are also disabled as they are -often vulnerable to DMA attacks. +- Thunderbolt and numerous FireWire kernel modules are also disabled as they + are often vulnerable to DMA attacks. -* The MSR kernel module is disabled to prevent CPU MSRs from being -abused to write to arbitrary memory. +- The MSR kernel module is disabled to prevent CPU MSRs from being abused to + write to arbitrary memory. -* Uncommon network protocols are blacklisted. This includes: +- Uncommon network protocols are blacklisted. This includes: - DCCP - Datagram Congestion Control Protocol +DCCP - Datagram Congestion Control Protocol - SCTP - Stream Control Transmission Protocol +SCTP - Stream Control Transmission Protocol - RDS - Reliable Datagram Sockets +RDS - Reliable Datagram Sockets - TIPC - Transparent Inter-process Communication +TIPC - Transparent Inter-process Communication - HDLC - High-Level Data Link Control +HDLC - High-Level Data Link Control - AX25 - Amateur X.25 +AX25 - Amateur X.25 - NetRom +NetRom - X25 +X25 - ROSE +ROSE - DECnet +DECnet - Econet +Econet - af_802154 - IEEE 802.15.4 +af_802154 - IEEE 802.15.4 - IPX - Internetwork Packet Exchange +IPX - Internetwork Packet Exchange - AppleTalk +AppleTalk - PSNAP - Subnetwork Access Protocol +PSNAP - Subnetwork Access Protocol - p8023 - Novell raw IEEE 802.3 +p8023 - Novell raw IEEE 802.3 - p8022 - IEEE 802.2 +p8022 - IEEE 802.2 - CAN - Controller Area Network +CAN - Controller Area Network - ATM +ATM -* Disables a large array of uncommon file systems and network file systems that reduces the attack surface especially against legacy approaches. +- Disables a large array of uncommon file systems and network file systems + that reduces the attack surface especially against legacy approaches. -* The vivid kernel module is only required for testing and has been the cause -of multiple vulnerabilities so it is disabled. +- The vivid kernel module is only required for testing and has been the cause + of multiple vulnerabilities so it is disabled. -* Provides some disabling of the interface between the [Intel Management Engine (ME)](https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/driver-api/mei/mei.html) and the OS. +- Provides some disabling of the interface between the [Intel Management + Engine (ME)](https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/driver-api/mei/mei.html) + and the OS. -* Incorporates much of [Ubuntu's](https://git.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kmod/tree/debian/modprobe.d?h=ubuntu/disco) default blacklist of modules to be blocked from automatically loading. However, they are still permitted to load. +- Incorporates much of + [Ubuntu's](https://git.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kmod/tree/debian/modprobe.d?h=ubuntu/disco) + default blacklist of modules to be blocked from automatically loading. + However, they are still permitted to load. -* Blocks automatic loading of the modules needed to use of CD-ROM devices by default. Not completely disabled yet. +- Blocks automatic loading of the modules needed to use of CD-ROM devices by + default. Not completely disabled yet. ### Other -* A systemd service clears the System.map file on boot as these contain kernel -pointers. The file is completely overwritten with zeroes to ensure it cannot -be recovered. See: +- A systemd service clears the System.map file on boot as these contain kernel + pointers. The file is completely overwritten with zeroes to ensure it cannot + be recovered. See: `/etc/kernel/postinst.d/30_remove-system-map` @@ -194,8 +208,8 @@ be recovered. See: `/usr/libexec/security-misc/remove-system.map` -* Coredumps are disabled as they may contain important information such as -encryption keys or passwords. See: +- Coredumps are disabled as they may contain important information such as + encryption keys or passwords. See: `/etc/security/limits.d/30_security-misc.conf` @@ -203,119 +217,128 @@ encryption keys or passwords. See: `/lib/systemd/coredump.conf.d/30_security-misc.conf` -* An initramfs hook sets the sysctl values in `/etc/sysctl.conf` and -`/etc/sysctl.d` before init is executed so sysctl hardening is enabled -as early as possible. This is implemented for `initramfs-tools` only because -this is not needed for `dracut` because `dracut` does that by default, at least -on `systemd` enabled systems. Not researched for non-`systemd` systems by the -author of this part of the readme. +- An initramfs hook sets the sysctl values in `/etc/sysctl.conf` and + `/etc/sysctl.d` before init is executed so sysctl hardening is enabled as + early as possible. This is implemented for `initramfs-tools` only because + this is not needed for `dracut` because `dracut` does that by default, at + least on `systemd` enabled systems. Not researched for non-`systemd` systems + by the author of this part of the readme. ## Network hardening -* TCP syncookies are enabled to prevent SYN flood attacks. +- TCP syncookies are enabled to prevent SYN flood attacks. -* ICMP redirect acceptance, ICMP redirect sending, source routing and -IPv6 router advertisements are disabled to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. +- ICMP redirect acceptance, ICMP redirect sending, source routing and IPv6 + router advertisements are disabled to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. -* The kernel is configured to ignore all ICMP requests to avoid Smurf attacks, -make the device more difficult to enumerate on the network and prevent clock -fingerprinting through ICMP timestamps. +- The kernel is configured to ignore all ICMP requests to avoid Smurf attacks, + make the device more difficult to enumerate on the network and prevent clock + fingerprinting through ICMP timestamps. -* RFC1337 is enabled to protect against time-wait assassination attacks by -dropping RST packets for sockets in the time-wait state. +- RFC1337 is enabled to protect against time-wait assassination attacks by + dropping RST packets for sockets in the time-wait state. -* Reverse path filtering is enabled to prevent IP spoofing and mitigate -vulnerabilities such as CVE-2019-14899. +- Reverse path filtering is enabled to prevent IP spoofing and mitigate + vulnerabilities such as CVE-2019-14899. -* Unlike version 4, IPv6 addresses can provide information not only about the originating network, but also the originating device. - We prevent this from happening by enabling the respective privacy extensions for IPv6. +- Unlike version 4, IPv6 addresses can provide information not only about the + originating network, but also the originating device. We prevent this from + happening by enabling the respective privacy extensions for IPv6. -* In addition, we deny the capability to track the originating device in the network at all, by using randomized MAC addresses per connection per default. +- In addition, we deny the capability to track the originating device in the + network at all, by using randomized MAC addresses per connection per + default. See: -* `/usr/lib/NetworkManager/conf.d/80_ipv6-privacy.conf` -* `/usr/lib/NetworkManager/conf.d/80_randomize-mac.conf` -* `/usr/lib/systemd/networkd.conf.d/80_ipv6-privacy-extensions.conf` +- `/usr/lib/NetworkManager/conf.d/80_ipv6-privacy.conf` +- `/usr/lib/NetworkManager/conf.d/80_randomize-mac.conf` +- `/usr/lib/systemd/networkd.conf.d/80_ipv6-privacy-extensions.conf` ## Network & Bluetooth hardening -* Bluetooth is 'enabled' for the system. Unlike the usual default behavior, we start -bluetooth turned off on system start and it stays that way unless the user -explicitly chooses to turn bluetooth on. The user is left with the freedom to easily -switch bluetooth on and off the usual way with his own discretion. We set significantly -more private defaults for bluetooth connections by enforcing private addresses and -strict timeout settings for discoverability and visibility. That being said, the most -secure and private bluetooth connection might inherently come with risks by its nature -and may be prone to exploits, as it has a history of having new security vulnurabilities -often. So users are recommended to choose not to use bluetooth when given the option. +- Bluetooth is 'enabled' for the system. Unlike the usual default behavior, we + start bluetooth turned off on system start and it stays that way unless the + user explicitly chooses to turn bluetooth on. The user is left with the + freedom to easily switch bluetooth on and off the usual way with his own + discretion. We set significantly more private defaults for bluetooth + connections by enforcing private addresses and strict timeout settings for + discoverability and visibility. That being said, the most secure and private + bluetooth connection might inherently come with risks by its nature and may + be prone to exploits, as it has a history of having new security + vulnurabilities often. So users are recommended to choose not to use + bluetooth when given the option. See: -* `/etc/bluetooth/30_security-misc.conf` -* https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/pull/145 +- `/etc/bluetooth/30_security-misc.conf` +- https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/pull/145 ## Entropy collection improvements -* The `jitterentropy_rng` kernel module is loaded as early as possible -during boot to gather more entropy via the -`/usr/lib/modules-load.d/30_security-misc.conf` configuration file. +- The `jitterentropy_rng` kernel module is loaded as early as possible during + boot to gather more entropy via the + `/usr/lib/modules-load.d/30_security-misc.conf` configuration file. -* Distrusts the CPU for initial entropy at boot as it is not possible to -audit, may contain weaknesses or a backdoor. For references, see: -`/etc/default/grub.d/40_distrust_cpu.cfg` +- Distrusts the CPU for initial entropy at boot as it is not possible to + audit, may contain weaknesses or a backdoor. For references, see: + `/etc/default/grub.d/40_distrust_cpu.cfg` -* Gathers more entropy during boot if using the linux-hardened kernel patch. +- Gathers more entropy during boot if using the linux-hardened kernel patch. ## Restrictive mount options -A systemd service is triggered on boot to remount all sensitive partitions and directories with significantly more secure hardened mount options. -Since this would require manual tuning for a given specific system, we handle it by creating a very solid configuration file for that very system on package install. +A systemd service is triggered on boot to remount all sensitive partitions and +directories with significantly more secure hardened mount options. Since this +would require manual tuning for a given specific system, we handle it by +creating a very solid configuration file for that very system on package +install. Not enabled by default yet. In development. Help welcome. -* https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/pull/152 -* https://forums.whonix.org/t/re-mount-home-and-other-with-noexec-and-nosuid-among-other-useful-mount-options-for-better-security/ +- https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/pull/152 +- https://forums.whonix.org/t/re-mount-home-and-other-with-noexec-and-nosuid-among-other-useful-mount-options-for-better-security/ ## Root access restrictions -* `su` is restricted to only users within the group `sudo` which prevents -users from using `su` to gain root access or to switch user accounts - -`/usr/share/pam-configs/wheel-security-misc` -(which results in a change in file `/etc/pam.d/common-auth`). +- `su` is restricted to only users within the group `sudo` which prevents + users from using `su` to gain root access or to switch user accounts - + `/usr/share/pam-configs/wheel-security-misc` (which results in a change in + file `/etc/pam.d/common-auth`). -* Add user `root` to group `sudo`. This is required due to the above restriction so -that logging in from a virtual console is still possible - `debian/security-misc.postinst` +- Add user `root` to group `sudo`. This is required due to the above + restriction so that logging in from a virtual console is still possible - + `debian/security-misc.postinst` -* Abort login for users with locked passwords - -`/usr/libexec/security-misc/pam-abort-on-locked-password`. +- Abort login for users with locked passwords - + `/usr/libexec/security-misc/pam-abort-on-locked-password`. -* Logging into the root account from a virtual, serial, whatnot console is -prevented by shipping an existing and empty `/etc/securetty` file -(deletion of `/etc/securetty` has a different effect). +- Logging into the root account from a virtual, serial, whatnot console is + prevented by shipping an existing and empty `/etc/securetty` file (deletion + of `/etc/securetty` has a different effect). -This package does not yet automatically lock the root account password. It -is not clear if this would be sane in such a package although, it is recommended -to lock and expire the root account. +This package does not yet automatically lock the root account password. It is +not clear if this would be sane in such a package although, it is recommended to +lock and expire the root account. In new Kicksecure builds, root account will be locked by package dist-base-files. See: -* https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Root -* https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Dev/Permissions -* https://forums.whonix.org/t/restrict-root-access/7658 +- https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Root +- https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Dev/Permissions +- https://forums.whonix.org/t/restrict-root-access/7658 However, a locked root password will break rescue and emergency shell. -Therefore, this package enables passwordless rescue and emergency shell. -This is the same solution that Debian will likely adapt for Debian -installer: https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=802211 +Therefore, this package enables passwordless rescue and emergency shell. This is +the same solution that Debian will likely adapt for Debian installer: +https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=802211 See: -* `/etc/systemd/system/emergency.service.d/override.conf` -* `/etc/systemd/system/rescue.service.d/override.conf` +- `/etc/systemd/system/emergency.service.d/override.conf` +- `/etc/systemd/system/rescue.service.d/override.conf` Adverse security effects can be prevented by setting up BIOS password protection, GRUB password protection and/or full disk encryption. @@ -324,16 +347,16 @@ protection, GRUB password protection and/or full disk encryption. This uses pam_access to allow members of group `console` to use console but restrict everyone else (except members of group `console-unrestricted`) from -using console with ancient, unpopular login methods such as `/bin/login` -over networks as this might be exploitable. (CVE-2001-0797) +using console with ancient, unpopular login methods such as `/bin/login` over +networks as this might be exploitable. (CVE-2001-0797) -This is not enabled by default in this package since this package does not -know which users shall be added to group 'console' and thus, would break console. +This is not enabled by default in this package since this package does not know +which users shall be added to group 'console' and thus, would break console. See: -* `/usr/share/pam-configs/console-lockdown-security-misc` -* `/etc/security/access-security-misc.conf` +- `/usr/share/pam-configs/console-lockdown-security-misc` +- `/etc/security/access-security-misc.conf` ## Brute force attack protection @@ -341,16 +364,16 @@ User accounts are locked after 50 failed login attempts using `pam_faillock`. Informational output during Linux PAM: -* Show failed and remaining password attempts. -* Document unlock procedure if Linux user account got locked. -* Point out that there is no password feedback for `su`. -* Explain locked root account if locked. +- Show failed and remaining password attempts. +- Document unlock procedure if Linux user account got locked. +- Point out that there is no password feedback for `su`. +- Explain locked root account if locked. See: -* `/usr/share/pam-configs/tally2-security-misc` -* `/usr/libexec/security-misc/pam-info` -* `/usr/libexec/security-misc/pam-abort-on-locked-password` +- `/usr/share/pam-configs/tally2-security-misc` +- `/usr/libexec/security-misc/pam-info` +- `/usr/libexec/security-misc/pam-abort-on-locked-password` ## Access rights restrictions @@ -359,65 +382,64 @@ See: #### Permission Lockdown Read, write and execute access for "others" are removed during package -installation, upgrade or PAM `mkhomedir` for all users who have home -folders in `/home` by running, for example: +installation, upgrade or PAM `mkhomedir` for all users who have home folders in +`/home` by running, for example: -``` -chmod o-rwx /home/user -``` + chmod o-rwx /home/user -This will be done only once per folder in `/home` so users who wish to -relax file permissions are free to do so. This is to protect files in a -home folder that were previously created with lax file permissions prior -to the installation of this package. +This will be done only once per folder in `/home` so users who wish to relax +file permissions are free to do so. This is to protect files in a home folder +that were previously created with lax file permissions prior to the installation +of this package. See: -* `debian/security-misc.postinst` -* `/usr/libexec/security-misc/permission-lockdown` -* `/usr/share/pam-configs/mkhomedir-security-misc` +- `debian/security-misc.postinst` +- `/usr/libexec/security-misc/permission-lockdown` +- `/usr/share/pam-configs/mkhomedir-security-misc` #### umask -Default `umask` is set to `027` for files created by non-root users -such as for example user `user`. +Default `umask` is set to `027` for files created by non-root users such as for +example user `user`. This is doing using pam module `pam_mkhomedir.so umask=027`. -This means, files created by non-root users cannot be read by other -non-root users by default. While Permission Lockdown already protects -the `/home` folder, this protects other folders such as `/tmp`. +This means, files created by non-root users cannot be read by other non-root +users by default. While Permission Lockdown already protects the `/home` folder, +this protects other folders such as `/tmp`. -`group` read permissions are not removed. -This is unnecessary due to Debian's use of User Private Groups (UPGs). -See also: https://wiki.debian.org/UserPrivateGroups +`group` read permissions are not removed. This is unnecessary due to Debian's +use of User Private Groups (UPGs). See also: +https://wiki.debian.org/UserPrivateGroups -Default `umask` is unchanged for root, because then configuration files -created in `/etc` by the system administrator would be unreadable by -"others" and break applications. Examples include `/etc/firefox-esr` and -`/etc/thunderbird`. +Default `umask` is unchanged for root, because then configuration files created +in `/etc` by the system administrator would be unreadable by "others" and break +applications. Examples include `/etc/firefox-esr` and `/etc/thunderbird`. See: -* `/usr/share/pam-configs/umask-security-misc` +- `/usr/share/pam-configs/umask-security-misc` ### SUID / SGID removal and permission hardening #### SUID / SGID removal -A systemd service removes SUID / SGID bits from non-essential binaries as -these are often used in privilege escalation attacks. +A systemd service removes SUID / SGID bits from non-essential binaries as these +are often used in privilege escalation attacks. #### File permission hardening -Various file permissions are reset with more secure and hardened defaults. These include but are not limited to: +Various file permissions are reset with more secure and hardened defaults. These +include but are not limited to: -* Limiting ```/home``` and ```/root``` to the root only. -* Limiting crontab to root as well as all the configuration files for cron. -* Limiting the configuration for cups and ssh. -* Protecting the information of sudoers from others. -* Protecting various system relevant files and modules. +- Limiting `/home` and `/root` to the root only. +- Limiting crontab to root as well as all the configuration files for cron. +- Limiting the configuration for cups and ssh. +- Protecting the information of sudoers from others. +- Protecting various system relevant files and modules. +```{=html} +``` ## Application-specific hardening -* Enables "`apt-get --error-on=any`" which makes apt exit non-zero for - transient failures. - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/40error-on-any`. -* Enables APT seccomp-BPF sandboxing - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/40sandbox`. -* Deactivates previews in Dolphin. -* Deactivates previews in Nautilus - -`/usr/share/glib-2.0/schemas/30_security-misc.gschema.override`. -* Deactivates thumbnails in Thunar. -* Thunderbird is hardened with the following options: - * Displays domain names in punycode to prevent IDN homograph attacks (a form of phishing). - * Strips email client information for sent email headers. - * Stripts user time information from sent email headers by replacing the originating time zone with UTC and rounding the timestamp to the nearest minute. - * Disables scripting when viewing pdf files. - * Disables implicit outgoing connections. - * Disables all and any kind of telemetry. -* Security and privacy enhancements for gnupg's config file -`/etc/skel/.gnupg/gpg.conf`. See also: - * https://raw.github.com/ioerror/torbirdy/master/gpg.conf - * https://github.com/ioerror/torbirdy/pull/11 +- Enables "`apt-get --error-on=any`" which makes apt exit non-zero for + transient failures. - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/40error-on-any`. +- Enables APT seccomp-BPF sandboxing - `/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/40sandbox`. +- Deactivates previews in Dolphin. +- Deactivates previews in Nautilus - + `/usr/share/glib-2.0/schemas/30_security-misc.gschema.override`. +- Deactivates thumbnails in Thunar. +- Thunderbird is hardened with the following options: + - Displays domain names in punycode to prevent IDN homograph attacks (a + form of phishing). + - Strips email client information for sent email headers. + - Stripts user time information from sent email headers by replacing the + originating time zone with UTC and rounding the timestamp to the nearest + minute. + - Disables scripting when viewing pdf files. + - Disables implicit outgoing connections. + - Disables all and any kind of telemetry. +- Security and privacy enhancements for gnupg's config file + `/etc/skel/.gnupg/gpg.conf`. See also: + - https://raw.github.com/ioerror/torbirdy/master/gpg.conf + - https://github.com/ioerror/torbirdy/pull/11 ### project scope of application-specific hardening Added in December 2023. -Before sending pull requests to harden arbitrary applications, please note the scope of security-misc is limited to default installed applications in Kicksecure, Whonix. This includes: +Before sending pull requests to harden arbitrary applications, please note the +scope of security-misc is limited to default installed applications in +Kicksecure, Whonix. This includes: -* Thunderbird, VLC Media Player, KeepassXC -* Debian Specific System Components (APT, DPKG) -* System Services (NetworkManager IPv6 privacy options, MAC address randomization) -* Actually used development utilities such as `git`. +- Thunderbird, VLC Media Player, KeepassXC +- Debian Specific System Components (APT, DPKG) +- System Services (NetworkManager IPv6 privacy options, MAC address + randomization) +- Actually used development utilities such as `git`. -It will not be possible to review and merge "1500" settings profiles for arbitrary applications outside of this context. +It will not be possible to review and merge "1500" settings profiles for +arbitrary applications outside of this context. -The main objective of security-misc is to harden Kicksecure and its derivatives, such as Whonix, by implementing robust security settings. It's designed to be compatible with Debian, reflecting a commitment to clean implementation and sound design principles. However, it's important to note that security-misc is a component of Kicksecure, not a substitute for it. The intention isn't to recreate Kicksecure within security-misc. Instead, specific security enhancements, like for example recommending a curated list of security-focused default packages (e.g., `libpam-tmpdir`), should be integrated directly into those appropriate areas of Kicksecure (e.g. `kicksecure-meta-packages`). +The main objective of security-misc is to harden Kicksecure and its derivatives, +such as Whonix, by implementing robust security settings. It's designed to be +compatible with Debian, reflecting a commitment to clean implementation and +sound design principles. However, it's important to note that security-misc is a +component of Kicksecure, not a substitute for it. The intention isn't to +recreate Kicksecure within security-misc. Instead, specific security +enhancements, like for example recommending a curated list of security-focused +default packages (e.g., `libpam-tmpdir`), should be integrated directly into +those appropriate areas of Kicksecure (e.g. `kicksecure-meta-packages`). -Discussion: -https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/issues/154 +Discussion: https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/issues/154 ### development philosophy Added in December 2023. -"Maintainability is a key priority [1]. Before modifying settings in the downstream security-misc, it's essential to first engage with upstream developers to propose these changes as defaults. This step should only be bypassed if there's a clear, prior indication from upstream that such changes won't be accepted. Additionally, before implementing any workarounds, consulting with upstream is necessary to future unmaintainable complexity. +"Maintainability is a key priority \[1\]. Before modifying settings in the +downstream security-misc, it's essential to first engage with upstream +developers to propose these changes as defaults. This step should only be +bypassed if there's a clear, prior indication from upstream that such changes +won't be accepted. Additionally, before implementing any workarounds, consulting +with upstream is necessary to future unmaintainable complexity. -If debugging features are disabled, pull requests won't be merged until there is a corresponding pull request for the debug-misc package to re-enable these. This is to avoid configuring the system into a corner where it can be no longer debugged. +If debugging features are disabled, pull requests won't be merged until there is +a corresponding pull request for the debug-misc package to re-enable these. This +is to avoid configuring the system into a corner where it can be no longer +debugged. -[1] https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Dev/maintainability +\[1\] https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Dev/maintainability ## Opt-in hardening Some hardening is opt-in as it causes too much breakage to be enabled by default. -* An optional systemd service mounts `/proc` with `hidepid=2` at boot to -prevent users from seeing another user's processes. This is disabled by -default because it is incompatible with `pkexec`. It can be enabled by -executing `systemctl enable proc-hidepid.service` as root. +- An optional systemd service mounts `/proc` with `hidepid=2` at boot to + prevent users from seeing another user's processes. This is disabled by + default because it is incompatible with `pkexec`. It can be enabled by + executing `systemctl enable proc-hidepid.service` as root. -* A systemd service restricts `/proc/cpuinfo`, `/proc/bus`, `/proc/scsi` and -`/sys` to the root user. This hides a lot of hardware identifiers from -unprivileged users and increases security as `/sys` exposes a lot of -information that shouldn't be accessible to unprivileged users. As this will -break many things, it is disabled by default and can optionally be enabled by -executing `systemctl enable hide-hardware-info.service` as root. +- A systemd service restricts `/proc/cpuinfo`, `/proc/bus`, `/proc/scsi` and + `/sys` to the root user. This hides a lot of hardware identifiers from + unprivileged users and increases security as `/sys` exposes a lot of + information that shouldn't be accessible to unprivileged users. As this will + break many things, it is disabled by default and can optionally be enabled + by executing `systemctl enable hide-hardware-info.service` as root. ## miscellaneous -* hardened malloc compatibility for haveged workaround -`/lib/systemd/system/haveged.service.d/30_security-misc.conf` +- hardened malloc compatibility for haveged workaround + `/lib/systemd/system/haveged.service.d/30_security-misc.conf` -* set `dracut` `reproducible=yes` setting +- set `dracut` `reproducible=yes` setting ## legal @@ -528,14 +573,14 @@ https://github.com/Kicksecure/security-misc/pull/167 ## Related -* Linux Kernel Runtime Guard (LKRG) -* tirdad - TCP ISN CPU Information Leak Protection. -* Kicksecure (TM) - a security-hardened Linux Distribution -* And more. -* https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Linux_Kernel_Runtime_Guard_LKRG -* https://github.com/Kicksecure/tirdad -* https://www.kicksecure.com -* https://github.com/Kicksecure +- Linux Kernel Runtime Guard (LKRG) +- tirdad - TCP ISN CPU Information Leak Protection. +- Kicksecure (TM) - a security-hardened Linux Distribution +- And more. +- https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Linux_Kernel_Runtime_Guard_LKRG +- https://github.com/Kicksecure/tirdad +- https://www.kicksecure.com +- https://github.com/Kicksecure ## Discussion @@ -551,20 +596,23 @@ See https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Security-misc#install Can be build using standard Debian package build tools such as: -``` -dpkg-buildpackage -b -``` + dpkg-buildpackage -b -See instructions. (Replace `generic-package` with the actual name of this package `security-misc`.) +See instructions. (Replace `generic-package` with the actual name of this +package `security-misc`.) -* **A)** [easy](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Dev/Build_Documentation/generic-package/easy), _OR_ -* **B)** [including verifying software signatures](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Dev/Build_Documentation/generic-package) +- **A)** + [easy](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Dev/Build_Documentation/generic-package/easy), + *OR* +- **B)** [including verifying software + signatures](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Dev/Build_Documentation/generic-package) ## Contact -* [Free Forum Support](https://forums.kicksecure.com) -* [Professional Support](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Professional_Support) +- [Free Forum Support](https://forums.kicksecure.com) +- [Professional Support](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Professional_Support) ## Donate -`security-misc` requires [donations](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Donate) to stay alive! +`security-misc` requires [donations](https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Donate) to +stay alive!