Vulnerability Discussion

Address space layout randomization (ASLR) makes it more difficult for an attacker to predict the location of attack code he or she has introduced into a process's address space during an attempt at exploitation. Additionally, ASLR also makes it more difficult for an attacker to know the location of existing code in order to repurpose it using return-oriented programming (ROP) techniques.

Check

Verify the operating system implements virtual address space randomization.

# grep kernel.randomize_va_space /etc/sysctl.conf /etc/sysctl.d/*

kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

If "kernel.randomize_va_space" is not configured in the /etc/sysctl.conf file or in the /etc/sysctl.d/ directory, is commented out or does not have a value of "2", this is a finding.

Check that the operating system implements virtual address space randomization with the following command:

# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep kernel.randomize_va_space

kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

If "kernel.randomize_va_space" does not have a value of "2", this is a finding.

Fix

Configure the operating system implement virtual address space randomization.

Set the system to the required kernel parameter by adding the following line to "/etc/sysctl.conf" or a config file in the /etc/sysctl.d/ directory (or modify the line to have the required value):

kernel.randomize_va_space = 2

Issue the following command to make the changes take effect:

# sysctl --system