STIGQter: STIG Summary: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 9 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

The systemd Ctrl-Alt-Delete burst key sequence in RHEL 9 must be disabled.

DISA Rule

SV-257784r1208766_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-257784

Group Title

SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125

Rule Version

RHEL-09-211045

Severity

CAT I

CCI(s)

• CCI-002235 - Prevent non-privileged users from executing privileged functions.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure RHEL 9 to disable the CtrlAltDelBurstAction by adding it to a drop file in a "/etc/systemd/system.conf.d/" configuration file:

If no drop file exists, create one with the following command:

$ sudo mkdir -p /etc/systemd/system.conf.d && sudo vi /etc/systemd/system.conf.d/55-CtrlAltDel-BurstAction.conf

Edit the file to contain the setting by adding the following text:

CtrlAltDelBurstAction=none

Reload the daemon for this change to take effect.

$ sudo systemctl daemon-reload

Check Contents

Verify RHEL 9 is configured to not reboot the system when Ctrl-Alt-Delete is pressed seven times within two seconds with the following command:

$ sudo grep -iR CtrlAltDelBurstAction /etc/systemd/system*
/etc/systemd/system.conf.d/55-CtrlAltDel-BurstAction.conf:CtrlAltDelBurstAction=none

If the "CtrlAltDelBurstAction" is not set to "none", is commented out, or is missing, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-257784

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-09-211045

Severity Override Guidance

Verify RHEL 9 is configured to not reboot the system when Ctrl-Alt-Delete is pressed seven times within two seconds with the following command:

$ sudo grep -iR CtrlAltDelBurstAction /etc/systemd/system*
/etc/systemd/system.conf.d/55-CtrlAltDel-BurstAction.conf:CtrlAltDelBurstAction=none

If the "CtrlAltDelBurstAction" is not set to "none", is commented out, or is missing, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5551