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 restrict access to the kernel message buffer.

DISA Rule

SV-255921r1137695_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-255921

Group Title

SRG-OS-000138-GPOS-00069

Rule Version

SLES-15-010375

Severity

CAT III

CCI(s)

CCI-001090 - Prevent unauthorized and unintended information transfer via shared system resources.

Weight

Fix Recommendation

Configure the operating system to restrict access to the kernel message buffer.

Set the system to the required kernel parameter by adding or modifying the following line in /etc/sysctl.conf or a config file in the /etc/sysctl.d/ directory:

kernel.dmesg_restrict = 1

Remove any configurations that conflict with the above from the following locations:
/run/sysctl.d/
/etc/sysctl.d/
/usr/local/lib/sysctl.d/
/usr/lib/sysctl.d/
/lib/sysctl.d/
/etc/sysctl.conf

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

$ sudo sysctl --system

Check Contents

Verify the operating system is configured to restrict access to the kernel message buffer with the following commands:

$ sudo sysctl kernel.dmesg_restrict
kernel.dmesg_restrict = 1

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

Check that the configuration files are present to enable this kernel parameter:

$ sudo grep -r kernel.dmesg_restrict /run/sysctl.d/* /etc/sysctl.d/* /usr/local/lib/sysctl.d/* /usr/lib/sysctl.d/* /lib/sysctl.d/* /etc/sysctl.conf 2> /dev/null
/etc/sysctl.conf:kernel.dmesg_restrict = 1
/etc/sysctl.d/99-sysctl.conf:kernel.dmesg_restrict = 1

If "kernel.dmesg_restrict" is not set to "1", is missing or commented out, this is a finding.

If conflicting results are returned, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-255921

Documentable

False

Rule Version

SLES-15-010375

Severity Override Guidance

Check Content Reference

Target Key

5274