Vulnerability Discussion

A core dump includes a memory image taken at the time the operating system terminates an application. The memory image could contain sensitive data and is generally useful only for developers trying to debug problems.

Check

Verify RHEL 10 disables storing core dumps.

Check the status of the "kernel.core_pattern" kernel parameter with the following command:

$ sudo sysctl kernel.core_pattern
kernel.core_pattern = |/bin/false

If "kernel.core_pattern" is not set to "|/bin/false", or a line is not returned and the need for core dumps is not documented with the information system security officer as an operational requirement, this is a finding.

Fix

Configure RHEL 10 to disable storing core dumps.

Create a drop-in if it does not already exist:

$ sudo vi /etc/sysctl.d/99-kernel_core_pattern.conf

Add the following to the file:

kernel.core_pattern = |/bin/false

Reload settings from all system configuration files with the following command:

$ sudo sysctl --system