Disable core dump backtraces

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Description

The ProcessSizeMax option in [Coredump] section of /etc/systemd/coredump.conf specifies the maximum size in bytes of a core which will be processed. Core dumps exceeding this size may be stored, but the backtrace will not be generated.

Rationale

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 or system operators trying to debug problems.

Enabling core dumps on production systems is not recommended, however there may be overriding operational requirements to enable advanced debuging. Permitting temporary enablement of core dumps during such situations should be reviewed through local needs and policy.

Remediation

Shell script

The following script can be run on the host to remediate the issue.

#!/bin/bash

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if rpm --quiet -q systemd; then

if [ -e "/etc/systemd/coredump.conf" ] ; then
    
    LC_ALL=C sed -i "/^\s*ProcessSizeMax\s*=\s*/Id" "/etc/systemd/coredump.conf"
else
    touch "/etc/systemd/coredump.conf"
fi
# make sure file has newline at the end
sed -i -e '$a\' "/etc/systemd/coredump.conf"

cp "/etc/systemd/coredump.conf" "/etc/systemd/coredump.conf.bak"
# Insert at the end of the file
printf '%s\n' "ProcessSizeMax=0" >> "/etc/systemd/coredump.conf"
# Clean up after ourselves.
rm "/etc/systemd/coredump.conf.bak"

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi

Ansible playbook

The following playbook can be run with Ansible to remediate the issue.

- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - CCE-83432-5
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6
  - PCI-DSS-Req-3.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-3.3.1.1
  - coredump_disable_backtraces
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy

- name: Disable core dump backtraces
  block:

  - name: Check for duplicate values
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/systemd/coredump.conf
      create: false
      regexp: ^\s*ProcessSizeMax\s*=\s*
      state: absent
    check_mode: true
    changed_when: false
    register: dupes

  - name: Deduplicate values from /etc/systemd/coredump.conf
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/systemd/coredump.conf
      create: false
      regexp: ^\s*ProcessSizeMax\s*=\s*
      state: absent
    when: dupes.found is defined and dupes.found > 1

  - name: Insert correct line to /etc/systemd/coredump.conf
    lineinfile:
      path: /etc/systemd/coredump.conf
      create: false
      regexp: ^\s*ProcessSizeMax\s*=\s*
      line: ProcessSizeMax=0
      state: present
  when: '"systemd" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - CCE-83432-5
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6
  - PCI-DSS-Req-3.2
  - PCI-DSSv4-3.3.1.1
  - coredump_disable_backtraces
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
  - restrict_strategy

Warning

If the /etc/systemd/coredump.conf file does not already contain the [Coredump] section, the value will not be configured correctly.