STIGQter: STIG Summary: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 8 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

The SUSE operating system must display the Standard Mandatory DOD Notice and Consent Banner before granting access via SSH.

DISA Rule

SV-234805r1184454_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-234805

Group Title

SRG-OS-000023-GPOS-00006

Rule Version

SLES-15-010040

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

CCI-000048 - Display an organization-defined system use notification message or banner to users before granting access to the system that provides privacy and security notices consistent with applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidelines.
CCI-001384 - For publicly accessible systems, display system use information with organization-defined conditions before granting further access to the publicly accessible system.
CCI-001385 - For publicly accessible systems, displays references, if any, to monitoring that are consistent with privacy accommodations for such systems that generally prohibit those activities.
CCI-001386 - For publicly accessible systems, displays references, if any, to recording that are consistent with privacy accommodations for such systems that generally prohibit those activities.
CCI-001387 - For publicly accessible systems, displays references, if any, to auditing that are consistent with privacy accommodations for such systems that generally prohibit those activities.
CCI-001388 - For publicly accessible systems, includes a description of the authorized uses of the system.

Weight

Fix Recommendation

Configure the SUSE operating system to display the Standard Mandatory DOD Notice and Consent Banner before granting access to the system via ssh.

Edit the "etc/ssh/sshd_config" file or a file in "/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d" to uncomment the banner keyword and configure it to point to a file that will contain the logon banner (this file may be named differently or be in a different location if using a version of SSH that is provided by a third-party vendor).

An example configuration line is:

Banner /etc/issue

Restart the sshd daemon:

> sudo systemctl restart sshd.service

To configure the system logon banner, edit the "/etc/issue" file. Replace the default text inside with the Standard Mandatory DOD banner text:

"You are accessing a U.S. Government (USG) Information System (IS) that is provided for USG-authorized use only.

By using this IS (which includes any device attached to this IS), you consent to the following conditions:

-The USG routinely intercepts and monitors communications on this IS for purposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, COMSEC monitoring, network operations and defense, personnel misconduct (PM), law enforcement (LE), and counterintelligence (CI) investigations.

-At any time, the USG may inspect and seize data stored on this IS.

-Communications using, or data stored on, this IS are not private, are subject to routine monitoring, interception, and search, and may be disclosed or used for any USG-authorized purpose.

-This IS includes security measures (e.g., authentication and access controls) to protect USG interests--not for your personal benefit or privacy.

-Notwithstanding the above, using this IS does not constitute consent to PM, LE or CI investigative searching or monitoring of the content of privileged communications, or work product, related to personal representation or services by attorneys, psychotherapists, or clergy, and their assistants. Such communications and work product are private and confidential. See User Agreement for details."

Check Contents

Verify the SUSE operating system displays the Standard Mandatory DOD Notice and Consent Banner before granting access to the system via SSH.

Check the issue file to verify it contains one of the DOD required banners. If it does not, this is a finding.

> more /etc/issue

The output must display the following DOD-required banner text:

"You are accessing a U.S. Government (USG) Information System (IS) that is provided for USG-authorized use only.

By using this IS (which includes any device attached to this IS), you consent to the following conditions:

-The USG routinely intercepts and monitors communications on this IS for purposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, COMSEC monitoring, network operations and defense, personnel misconduct (PM), law enforcement (LE), and counterintelligence (CI) investigations.

-At any time, the USG may inspect and seize data stored on this IS.

-Communications using, or data stored on, this IS are not private, are subject to routine monitoring, interception, and search, and may be disclosed or used for any USG-authorized purpose.

-This IS includes security measures (e.g., authentication and access controls) to protect USG interests--not for your personal benefit or privacy.

-Notwithstanding the above, using this IS does not constitute consent to PM, LE or CI investigative searching or monitoring of the content of privileged communications, or work product, related to personal representation or services by attorneys, psychotherapists, or clergy, and their assistants. Such communications and work product are private and confidential. See User Agreement for details."

If the output does not display the banner text, this is a finding.

Check for the location of the banner file being used with the following command:

$ sudo /usr/sbin/sshd -dd 2>&1 | awk '/filename/ {print $4}' | tr -d '\r' | tr '\n' ' ' | xargs sudo grep -iH '^\s*banner'
/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/80-bannerPointer.conf:Banner /etc/issue

This command will return the banner keyword and the name of the file that contains the SSH banner (in this case "/etc/issue").

If "Banner" is not set to "/etc/issue", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-234805

Documentable

False

Rule Version

SLES-15-010040

Severity Override Guidance

Check Content Reference

Target Key

5274