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The RHEL 8 SSH daemon must not allow compression or must only allow compression after successful authentication.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-230289 RHEL-08-010510 SV-230289r599732_rule Medium
Description
If compression is allowed in an SSH connection prior to authentication, vulnerabilities in the compression software could result in compromise of the system from an unauthenticated connection, potentially with root privileges.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2020-11-25

Details

Check Text ( C-32958r567613_chk )
Verify the SSH daemon performs compression after a user successfully authenticates with the following command:

$ sudo grep -i compression /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Compression no

If the "Compression" keyword is set to "yes", "delayed", is missing, or the returned line is commented out, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-32933r567614_fix)
Uncomment the "Compression" keyword in "/etc/ssh/sshd_config" (this file may be named differently or be in a different location if using a version of SSH that is provided by a third-party vendor) on the system and set the value to "no":

Compression no

The SSH service must be restarted for changes to take effect.