Vulnerability Discussion
Previous versions of software components that are not removed from the information system after updates have been installed may be exploited by adversaries. Some information technology products may remove older versions of software automatically from the information system.
Check
Verify the operating system removes all software components after updated versions have been installed.
Check if YUM is configured to remove unneeded packages with the following command:
$ sudo grep -i clean_requirements_on_remove /etc/yum.conf
clean_requirements_on_remove=True
If "clean_requirements_on_remove" is not set to "True", commented out, or missing from "/etc/yum.conf", this is a finding.
Fix
Configure OL 8 to remove all software components after updated versions have been installed.
Set the "clean_requirements_on_remove" option to "True" in the "/etc/yum.conf" file:
clean_requirements_on_remove=True