AlmaLinux OS 9 must disable core dumps for all users.

Severity	Group ID	Group Title	Version	Rule ID	Date	STIG Version
medium	V-269178	SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227	ALMA-09-011240	SV-269178r1156418_rule	2025-11-25	1

Description
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 debugging. Permitting temporary enablement of core dumps during such situations must be reviewed through local needs and policy.

Description

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 debugging. Permitting temporary enablement of core dumps during such situations must be reviewed through local needs and policy.

ℹ️ Check
Verify AlmaLinux OS 9 disables core dumps for all users by issuing the following command: Note: If kernel dumps are disabled in accordance with ALMA-09-011680, this requirement is not applicable. $ grep -r -s core /etc/security/limits.conf /etc/security/limits.d/.conf /etc/security/limits.conf: hard core 0 This can be set as a global domain (with the * wildcard) but may be set differently for multiple domains. If the "core" item is missing or commented out, or the value is anything other than "0", and the need for core dumps is not documented with the information system security officer (ISSO) as an operational requirement for all domains that have the "core" item assigned, this is a finding. If entries exist for users or groups with a value set to anything other than "0", this is a finding.

ℹ️ Check

Verify AlmaLinux OS 9 disables core dumps for all users by issuing the following command: Note: If kernel dumps are disabled in accordance with ALMA-09-011680, this requirement is not applicable. $ grep -r -s core /etc/security/limits.conf /etc/security/limits.d/*.conf /etc/security/limits.conf:* hard core 0 This can be set as a global domain (with the * wildcard) but may be set differently for multiple domains. If the "core" item is missing or commented out, or the value is anything other than "0", and the need for core dumps is not documented with the information system security officer (ISSO) as an operational requirement for all domains that have the "core" item assigned, this is a finding. If entries exist for users or groups with a value set to anything other than "0", this is a finding.

✔️ Fix
Configure the operating system to disable core dumps for all users. Add the following line to the top of the /etc/security/limits.conf or in a single ".conf" file defined in /etc/security/limits.d/: * hard core 0 Remove or comment out any entries for users or groups with a value set to anything other than "0".