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

The RHEL 8 SSH client must be configured to use only DOD-approved Message Authentication Codes (MACs) employing FIPS 140-3-validated cryptographic hash algorithms to protect the confidentiality of SSH client connections.

DISA Rule

SV-272482r1208740_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-272482

Group Title

SRG-OS-000250-GPOS-00093

Rule Version

RHEL-08-010296

Severity

CAT I

CCI(s)

CCI-001453 - Implement cryptographic mechanisms to protect the integrity of remote access sessions.

Weight

Fix Recommendation

Configure the RHEL 8 SSH client to use only MACs employing FIPS 140-3-approved algorithms.

Reinstall crypto-policies with the following command:

$ sudo dnf -y reinstall crypto-policies

Set the crypto-policy to FIPS with the following command:

$ sudo update-crypto-policies --set FIPS
Setting system policy to FIPS

Note: Systemwide crypto policies are applied on application startup. It is recommended to restart the system for the change of policies to fully take place.

Check Contents

Verify the RHEL 8 SSH client is configured to use only MACs employing FIPS 140-3-approved algorithms.

To verify the MACs in the systemwide SSH configuration file, use the following command:

$ grep -i MACs /etc/crypto-policies/back-ends/openssh.config
MACs hmac-sha2-512-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-512,hmac-sha2-256

If the MACs entries in the "openssh.config" file have any hashes other than "hmac-sha2-512-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-256-etm@openssh.com,hmac-sha2-512,hmac-sha2-256", or they are missing or commented out, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-272482

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-08-010296

Severity Override Guidance

Check Content Reference

Target Key

2921