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