SLEM 5 must remove all outdated software components after updated versions have been installed.

Previous versions of software components that are not removed from the information system after updates have been installed may be exploited by adversaries. Some information technology products may remove older versions of software automatically from the information system.

Verify SLEM 5 removes all outdated software components after updated version have been installed by running the following command:

     > grep -i upgraderemovedroppedpackages /etc/zypp/zypp.conf 
     solver.upgradeRemoveDroppedPackages = true

If "solver.upgradeRemoveDroppedPackages" is not set to "true", is commented out, or missing, this is a finding.

Configure SLEM 5 to remove all outdated software components after an update.

Add or modify the following line in the "/etc/zypp/zypp.conf" file:

solver.upgradeRemoveDroppedPackages = true