Unused database components which are integrated in PostgreSQL and cannot be uninstalled must be disabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-73011	PGS9-00-009200	SV-87663r2_rule		Medium

Description
Information systems are capable of providing a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services, provided by default, may not be necessary to support essential organizational operations (e.g., key missions, functions). It is detrimental for software products to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives. PostgreSQL must adhere to the principles of least functionality by providing only essential capabilities. Unused, unnecessary PostgreSQL components increase the attack vector for PostgreSQL by introducing additional targets for attack. By minimizing the services and applications installed on the system, the number of potential vulnerabilities is reduced. Components of the system that are unused and cannot be uninstalled must be disabled. The techniques available for disabling components will vary by DBMS product, OS and the nature of the component and may include DBMS configuration settings, OS service settings, OS file access security, and DBMS user/role permissions.

Description

Information systems are capable of providing a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services, provided by default, may not be necessary to support essential organizational operations (e.g., key missions, functions). It is detrimental for software products to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives. PostgreSQL must adhere to the principles of least functionality by providing only essential capabilities. Unused, unnecessary PostgreSQL components increase the attack vector for PostgreSQL by introducing additional targets for attack. By minimizing the services and applications installed on the system, the number of potential vulnerabilities is reduced. Components of the system that are unused and cannot be uninstalled must be disabled. The techniques available for disabling components will vary by DBMS product, OS and the nature of the component and may include DBMS configuration settings, OS service settings, OS file access security, and DBMS user/role permissions.

STIG	Date
PostgreSQL 9.x Security Technical Implementation Guide	2019-09-26

Details

Check Text ( C-73143r1_chk )
To list all installed packages, as the system administrator, run the following: # RHEL/CENT Systems $ sudo yum list installed \| grep postgres # Debian Systems $ dpkg --get-selections \| grep postgres If any packages are installed that are not required, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-79457r1_fix)
To remove any unneeded executables, as the system administrator, run the following: # RHEL/CENT Systems $ sudo yum erase # Debian Systems $ sudo apt-get remove