Securing Alpine Linux

Securing Alpine Linux using Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) involves several steps. STIGs are a series of security requirements and configurations that help to secure systems. While there might not be a specific STIG for Alpine Linux, you can follow general Linux hardening guidelines and apply the principles from other Linux STIGs. Here’s a step-by-step process:

Step 1: Update and Upgrade System

1. Update package lists:

doas apk update

2. Upgrade installed packages:

doas apk upgrade

Step 2: Install Necessary Security Tools

1. Install audit package:

doas apk add audit

2. Install other necessary security packages:

doas apk add doas logrotate bash-completion openssh-server

Step 3: User and Access Management

1. Disable root login over SSH:

Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config:

doas vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Set the following parameter:

      PermitRootLogin no

2. Ensure password complexity:

Edit /etc/security/pwquality.conf:

doas vi /etc/security/pwquality.conf

Add or update the following lines:

  minlen = 14
  dcredit = -1
  ucredit = -1
  ocredit = -1
  lcredit = -1

3. Lock unused system accounts:

  for user in `awk -F: '($3 < 1000) {print $1}' /etc/passwd`; do
      if [ $user != "root" ]; then
          doas passwd -l $user
          doas chage -E 0 $user
      fi
  done

Step 4: File System and Directory Permissions

1. Set appropriate permissions on important directories:

  doas chmod 700 /root
  doas chmod 600 /boot/grub/grub.cfg
  doas chmod 600 /etc/ssh/sshd_config

2. Configure mount options:

Edit /etc/fstab:

doas vi /etc/fstab

Add `nosuid`, `nodev`, and `noexec` options to non-root partitions:

  /dev/sda1 /home ext4 defaults,nosuid,nodev,noexec 0 2

Step 5: Network Security

1. Disable unnecessary services:

doas rc-update del <service_name> doas rc-service <service_name> stop

2. Configure firewall (iptables):

doas apk add iptables doas rc-service iptables start doas rc-update add iptables

Create a basic firewall ruleset:

doas vi /etc/iptables/rules.v4

Example rules:

  *filter
  :INPUT DROP [0:0]
  :FORWARD DROP [0:0]
  :OUTPUT ACCEPT [0:0]
  -A INPUT -i lo -j ACCEPT
  -A INPUT -m state --state RELATED,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
  -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -j ACCEPT
  COMMIT

Step 6: Logging and Auditing

1. Configure system logging:

Edit /etc/rsyslog.conf to ensure all log files are being captured:

doas vi /etc/rsyslog.conf

Example configuration:

  *.info;mail.none;authpriv.none;cron.none /var/log/messages
  authpriv.* /var/log/secure
  mail.* -/var/log/maillog
  cron.* /var/log/cron

2. Set up audit rules:

Edit /etc/audit/rules.d/audit.rules:

doas vi /etc/audit/rules.d/audit.rules

Example rules:

  -w /etc/passwd -p wa -k passwd_changes
  -w /etc/shadow -p wa -k shadow_changes
  -w /etc/group -p wa -k group_changes

Step 7: Apply Kernel and Service Hardening

1. Disable unused filesystems:

Edit /etc/modprobe.d/disable-filesystems.conf:

doas vi /etc/modprobe.d/disable-filesystems.conf

Add the following lines:

  install cramfs /bin/true
  install freevxfs /bin/true
  install jffs2 /bin/true
  install hfs /bin/true
  install hfsplus /bin/true
  install squashfs /bin/true
  install udf /bin/true
  install vfat /bin/true

2. Configure kernel parameters:

Edit /etc/sysctl.conf:

doas vi /etc/sysctl.conf

Add or update the following parameters:

  net.ipv4.ip_forward = 0
  net.ipv4.conf.all.accept_source_route = 0
  net.ipv4.conf.all.accept_redirects = 0
  net.ipv4.conf.all.secure_redirects = 0
  net.ipv4.conf.all.log_martians = 1
  net.ipv4.conf.default.log_martians = 1
  net.ipv4.icmp_echo_ignore_broadcasts = 1
  net.ipv4.icmp_ignore_bogus_error_responses = 1
  net.ipv4.tcp_syncookies = 1
  net.ipv4.conf.all.send_redirects = 0
  net.ipv4.conf.default.send_redirects = 0

Step 8: Regular Maintenance

1. Set up regular updates:

Create a cron job for regular updates:

doas crontab -e

Add the following line to update daily at 2 AM:

  0 2 * * * apk update && apk upgrade

2. Review and monitor logs regularly:

Ensure logs are rotated and reviewed frequently:

doas logrotate /etc/logrotate.conf

Conclusion

This process provides a foundation for securing an Alpine Linux system. Regular reviews and updates, along with compliance with the latest security guidelines, are essential to maintaining a secure environment.