Title

The operating system must initiate a session lock after a 15-minute period of inactivity for all connection types. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

A session time-out lock is a temporary action taken when a user stops work and moves away from the immediate physical vicinity of the information system but does not log out because of the temporary nature of the absence. Rather than relying on the user to manually lock their operating system session prior to vacating the vicinity, operating systems need to be able to identify when a user's session has idled and take action to initiate the session lock. The session lock is implemented at the point where session activity can be determined and/or controlled. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000029-GPOS-00010

Check Content

Verify the operating system initiates a session lock after a 15-minute period of inactivity for all connection types. If it does not, this is a finding. For console connections: $ cat /etc/login.conf Ensure "idletime" is set under the "default" section and any other sections in use. If it is not set or is set to more than 15m, this is a finding. For graphical displays with GNOME, the screensaver should lock: $ gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.mandatory --get /apps/gnome-screensaver/idle_activation_enabled If this is not "true" and GNOME is in use this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the operating system to initiate a session lock after a 15-minute period of inactivity for all connection types.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID:

Vulnerability ID: V-100

Group Title:

Expert Comments

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