A minimum of two Oracle control files must be defined and configured to be stored on separate, archived disks (physical or virtual) or archived partitions on a RAID device.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-219827	O121-BP-021500	SV-219827r879887_rule		Low

Description
Oracle control files are used to store information critical to Oracle database integrity. Oracle uses these files to maintain time synchronization of database files as well as at system startup to verify the validity of system data and log files. Loss of access to the control files can affect database availability, integrity and recovery.

STIG	Date
Oracle Database 12c Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-12-27

Details

Check Text ( C-21538r533020_chk )
From SQL*Plus: select name from v$controlfile; DoD guidance recommends: 2a. Each control file is to be located on separate, archived physical or virtual storage devices. OR 2b. Each control file is to be located on separate, archived directories within one or more RAID devices. 3. The Logical Paths for each control file should differ at the highest level supported by the configuration, for example: UNIX /ora03/app/oracle/{SID}/control/control01.ctl /ora04/app/oracle/{SID}/control/control02.ctl Windows D:/oracle/{SID}/control/control01.ctl E:/oracle/{SID}/control/control02.ctl If the minimum listed above is not met, this is a finding. Consult with the SA or DBA to determine that the mount points or partitions referenced in the file paths indicate separate physical disks or directories on RAID devices. Note: Distinct does not equal dedicated. May share directory space with other Oracle database instances if present.

Check Text ( C-21538r533020_chk )

From SQL*Plus:

select name from v$controlfile;

DoD guidance recommends:

2a. Each control file is to be located on separate, archived physical or virtual storage devices.

OR

2b. Each control file is to be located on separate, archived directories within one or more RAID devices.

3. The Logical Paths for each control file should differ at the highest level supported by the configuration, for example:

UNIX
/ora03/app/oracle/{SID}/control/control01.ctl
/ora04/app/oracle/{SID}/control/control02.ctl

Windows
D:/oracle/{SID}/control/control01.ctl
E:/oracle/{SID}/control/control02.ctl

If the minimum listed above is not met, this is a finding.

Consult with the SA or DBA to determine that the mount points or partitions referenced in the file paths indicate separate physical disks or directories on RAID devices.

Note: Distinct does not equal dedicated. May share directory space with other Oracle database instances if present.

Fix Text (F-21537r533021_fix)
To prevent loss of service during disk failure, multiple copies of Oracle control files must be maintained on separate disks in archived directories or on separate, archived directories within one or more RAID devices. Adding or moving a control file requires careful planning and execution. Consult and follow the instructions for creating control files in the Oracle Database Administrator's Guide, under Steps for Creating New Control Files.

Fix Text (F-21537r533021_fix)

To prevent loss of service during disk failure, multiple copies of Oracle control files must be maintained on separate disks in archived directories or on separate, archived directories within one or more RAID devices.

Adding or moving a control file requires careful planning and execution.

Consult and follow the instructions for creating control files in the Oracle Database Administrator's Guide, under Steps for Creating New Control Files.