STIGQter: STIG Summary: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 2 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

RHEL 10 must be configured so that Secure Shell (SSH) clients 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-281012r1184645_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-281012

Group Title

SRG-OS-000125-GPOS-00065

Rule Version

RHEL-10-300050

Severity

CAT I

CCI(s)

CCI-000877 - Employ strong authentication in the establishment of nonlocal maintenance and diagnostic sessions.
CCI-001453 - Implement cryptographic mechanisms to protect the integrity of remote access sessions.

Weight

Fix Recommendation

Configure RHEL 10 SSH clients 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 RHEL 10 SSH clients are 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:

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

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

Vulnerability Number

V-281012

Documentable

False

Rule Version

RHEL-10-300050

Severity Override Guidance

Check Content Reference

Target Key

5733