System security patches and updates must be installed and up-to-date.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-27056	GEN000120	SV-783r3_rule		Medium

Description
Timely patching is critical for maintaining the operational availability, confidentiality, and integrity of Information Technology (IT) systems. However, failure to keep operating system and application software patched is a common mistake made by IT professionals. New patches are released daily, and it is often difficult for even experienced system administrators to keep abreast of all the new patches. When new weaknesses in an operating system exist, patches are usually made available by the vendor to resolve the problems. If the most recent security patches and updates are not installed, unauthorized users may take advantage of weaknesses present in the unpatched software. The lack of prompt attention to patching could result in a system compromise.

Description

Timely patching is critical for maintaining the operational availability, confidentiality, and integrity of Information Technology (IT) systems. However, failure to keep operating system and application software patched is a common mistake made by IT professionals. New patches are released daily, and it is often difficult for even experienced system administrators to keep abreast of all the new patches. When new weaknesses in an operating system exist, patches are usually made available by the vendor to resolve the problems. If the most recent security patches and updates are not installed, unauthorized users may take advantage of weaknesses present in the unpatched software. The lack of prompt attention to patching could result in a system compromise.

STIG	Date
VMware ESX 3 Server	2016-05-13

Details

Check Text ( C-35106r3_chk )
Obtain the list of available security patches or updated packages from the operating system vendor. Check that the patches or updates have been installed on the system. If there are patches or updates that have not been installed, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-31409r2_fix)
Install the security patches or updated packages available from the vendor.