cis-ubuntu1204-v110-2-9

name	cis-ubuntu1204-v110-2-9
description	Create Separate Partition for /home
category	cis-os-hardening
version	1.1.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu",12.04,"linux","filesystem","partitioning","home"]
cis_id	2.9
cis_benchmark	CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0
tech_stack	["ubuntu","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

2.9 Create Separate Partition for /home (Scored)

Profile Applicability

• Level 1

Description

The /home directory is used to support disk storage needs of local users.

Rationale

If the system is intended to support local users, create a separate partition for the /home directory to protect against resource exhaustion and restrict the type of files that can be stored under /home.

Audit Procedure

Using Command Line

grep "[[:space:]]/home[[:space:]]" /etc/fstab

Expected Result

A partition entry for /home should be returned. If the command emits no output then the system is not configured as recommended.

Remediation

Using Command Line

For new installations, during installation create a custom partition setup and specify a separate partition for /home.

For systems that were previously installed, use the Logical Volume Manager (LVM) to create partitions.

Default Value

By default, Ubuntu does not create a separate partition for /home.

References

• CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0
• AJ Lewis, "LVM HOWTO", http://tldp.org/HOWTO/LVM-HOWTO/

Profile

Level 1 - Scored