Title

RHEL 8, for certificate-based authentication, must enforce authorized access to the corresponding private key. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

If an unauthorized user obtains access to a private key without a passcode, that user would have unauthorized access to any system where the associated public key has been installed.

Check Content

Verify the SSH private key files have a passcode. For each private key stored on the system, use the following command: $ sudo ssh-keygen -y -f /path/to/file If the contents of the key are displayed, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Create a new private and public key pair that utilizes a passcode with the following command: $ sudo ssh-keygen -n [passphrase]

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-230230r1017049_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-230230

Group Title: SRG-OS-000067-GPOS-00035

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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