The system must not permit root logins using remote access programs such as ssh.

From Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000770

SV-50414r1_rule The system must not permit root logins using remote access programs such as ssh.

Vulnerability discussion

Permitting direct root login reduces auditable information about who ran privileged commands on the system and also allows direct attack attempts on root's password.

Check content

To determine how the SSH daemon's "PermitRootLogin" option is set, run the following command: # grep -i PermitRootLogin /etc/ssh/sshd_config If a line indicating "no" is returned, then the required value is set. If the required value is not set, this is a finding.

Fix text

The root user should never be allowed to log in to a system directly over a network. To disable root login via SSH, add or correct the following line in "/etc/ssh/sshd_config": PermitRootLogin no

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