Vulnerability Discussion

Allowing devices and users to connect to the system without first authenticating them allows untrusted access and can lead to a compromise or attack.

Wireless technologies include, for example, microwave, packet radio (UHF/VHF), 802.11x, and Bluetooth. Wireless networks use authentication protocols (e.g., EAP/TLS, PEAP), which provide credential protection and mutual authentication.

This requirement applies to those operating systems that control wireless devices.

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000299-GPOS-00117, SRG-OS-000300-GPOS-00118, SRG-OS-000481-GPOS-00481

Check

Verify there are no wireless interfaces configured on the system with the following command:

Note: This requirement is Not Applicable for systems that do not have physical wireless network radios.

$ sudo nmcli device status
DEVICE TYPE STATE CONNECTION
virbr0 bridge connected virbr0
wlp7s0 wifi connected wifiSSID
enp6s0 ethernet disconnected --
p2p-dev-wlp7s0 wifi-p2p disconnected --
lo loopback unmanaged --
virbr0-nic tun unmanaged --

If a wireless interface is configured and has not been documented and approved by the Information System Security Officer (ISSO), this is a finding.

Fix

Configure the system to disable all wireless network interfaces with the following command:

$ sudo nmcli radio all off