The system must limit users to 10 simultaneous system logins, or a site-defined number, in accordance with operational requirements.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-22298	GEN000450	SV-37182r1_rule	ECSC-1	Low

Description
Limiting simultaneous user logins can insulate the system from denial of service problems caused by excessive logins. Automated login processes operating improperly or maliciously may result in an exceptional number of simultaneous login sessions. If the defined value of 10 logins does not meet operational requirements, the site may define the permitted number of simultaneous login sessions based on operational requirements. This limit is for the number of simultaneous login sessions for EACH user account. This is NOT a limit on the total number of simultaneous login sessions on the system.

Description

Limiting simultaneous user logins can insulate the system from denial of service problems caused by excessive logins. Automated login processes operating improperly or maliciously may result in an exceptional number of simultaneous login sessions. If the defined value of 10 logins does not meet operational requirements, the site may define the permitted number of simultaneous login sessions based on operational requirements. This limit is for the number of simultaneous login sessions for EACH user account. This is NOT a limit on the total number of simultaneous login sessions on the system.

STIG	Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2014-07-02

Details

Check Text ( None )
None

Fix Text (F-31140r1_fix)
Add a "maxlogins" line such as "* hard maxlogins 10" to /etc/security/limits.conf or a file in /etc/security/limits.d. The enforced maximum should be defined by site requirements and policy.