STIGQter: STIG Summary: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 8 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

RHEL 8 must prevent the loading of a new kernel for later execution.

DISA Rule

SV-230266r1184246_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-230266

Group Title

SRG-OS-000366-GPOS-00153

Rule Version

RHEL-08-010372

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-003992 - Prevent the installation of organization-defined software and firmware components without verification that the component has been digitally signed using a certificate that is recognized and approved by the organization.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure RHEL 8 to disable kernel image loading.

Create a drop-in if it does not already exist:

$ sudo vi /etc/sysctl.d/99-kernel_kexec_load_disabled.conf

Add the following to the file:
kernel.kexec_load_disabled = 1

Reload settings from all system configuration files with the following command:

$ sudo sysctl --system

Check Contents

Verify RHEL 8 is configured to disable kernel image loading.

Check the status of the "kernel.kexec_load_disabled" kernel parameter with the following command:

$ sudo sysctl kernel.kexec_load_disabled
kernel.kexec_load_disabled = 1

If "kernel.kexec_load_disabled" is not set to "1" or is missing, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-230266

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-08-010372

Severity Override Guidance

Verify RHEL 8 is configured to disable kernel image loading.

Check the status of the "kernel.kexec_load_disabled" kernel parameter with the following command:

$ sudo sysctl kernel.kexec_load_disabled
kernel.kexec_load_disabled = 1

If "kernel.kexec_load_disabled" is not set to "1" or is missing, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

2921