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The graphical display manager must not be the default target on RHEL 8 unless approved.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-251718 RHEL-08-040321 SV-251718r809378_rule Medium
Description
Internet services that are not required for system or application processes must not be active to decrease the attack surface of the system. Graphical display managers have a long history of security vulnerabilities and must not be used, unless approved and documented.
STIG Date
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2023-03-08

Details

Check Text ( C-55155r809376_chk )
Verify that the system is configured to boot to the command line:

$ systemctl get-default
multi-user.target

If the system default target is not set to "multi-user.target" and the Information System Security Officer (ISSO) lacks a documented requirement for a graphical user interface, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-55109r809377_fix)
Document the requirement for a graphical user interface with the ISSO or reinstall the operating system without the graphical user interface. If reinstallation is not feasible, then continue with the following procedure:

Open an SSH session and enter the following commands:

$ sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target

A reboot is required for the changes to take effect.