Title

The operating system must automatically terminate a user session after inactivity time-outs have expired or at shutdown. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Automatic session termination addresses the termination of user-initiated logical sessions in contrast to the termination of network connections that are associated with communications sessions (i.e., network disconnect). A logical session (for local, network, and remote access) is initiated whenever a user (or process acting on behalf of a user) accesses an organizational information system. Such user sessions can be terminated (and thus terminate user access) without terminating network sessions. Session termination terminates all processes associated with a user's logical session except those processes that are specifically created by the user (i.e., session owner) to continue after the session is terminated. Conditions or trigger events requiring automatic session termination can include, for example, organization-defined periods of user inactivity, targeted responses to certain types of incidents, and time-of-day restrictions on information system use. This capability is typically reserved for specific operating system functionality where the system owner, data owner, or organization requires additional assurance.

Check Content

Verify the operating system automatically terminates a user session after inactivity time-outs have expired or at shutdown. If it does not, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the operating system to automatically terminate a user session after inactivity time-outs have expired or at shutdown.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-203683r958636_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-203683

Group Title: SRG-OS-000279

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.