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

RHEL 9 debug-shell systemd service must be disabled.

DISA Rule

SV-257786r1044834_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-257786

Group Title

SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125

Rule Version

RHEL-09-211055

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

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

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Configure RHEL 9 to mask the debug-shell systemd service with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl disable --now debug-shell.service
$ sudo systemctl mask --now debug-shell.service

Check Contents

Verify RHEL 9 is configured to mask the debug-shell systemd service with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl status debug-shell.service

debug-shell.service
Loaded: masked (Reason: Unit debug-shell.service is masked.)
Active: inactive (dead)

If the "debug-shell.service" is loaded and not masked, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-257786

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-09-211055

Severity Override Guidance

Verify RHEL 9 is configured to mask the debug-shell systemd service with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl status debug-shell.service

debug-shell.service
Loaded: masked (Reason: Unit debug-shell.service is masked.)
Active: inactive (dead)

If the "debug-shell.service" is loaded and not masked, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5551