The document outlines a presentation by Michael Boelen on Linux security scanning using Lynis, aimed at performing security audits and system hardening. It covers the importance of an ongoing security process, the function of Lynis as an easy-to-use auditing tool without installation, and various strategies for enhancing Linux system security. The presentation emphasizes simplicity, continuous improvement, and the necessity of open-source contributions to maintain and evolve security practices.

1. Linux Security Scanning
Learn your weaknesses with Lynis
Nijmegen, 2016-05-10
Meetup: Linux Usergroup Nijmegen
Michael Boelen
michael.boelen@cisofy.com

2. Goals
1. Perform a security audit
2. Learn what to protect
3. Determine why
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3. Agenda
Today
1. System Hardening
2. Security Auditing
3. Lynis
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4. Michael Boelen
● Open Source Security
○ rkhunter (malware scan)
○ Lynis (security audit)
● 170+ blog posts at Linux-Audit.com
● Founder of CISOfy
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5. System Hardening

6. 6

8. 8

9. 9

10. 10

11. Hardening Basics

12. Hardening 101
● New defenses
● Existing defenses
● Reduce weaknesses
(= attack surface)
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Photo Credits: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wilson44691

13. Hardening 101
● Security is an ongoing process
● It is never finished
● New attacks = more hardening
○ POODLE
○ Hearthbleed
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14. Hardening 101
Operating System
● Packages
● Processes
● Configuration
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15. Linux Security
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Areas Core Resources Services Environment
System Hardening Boot Process
Containers
Frameworks
Kernel
Service Manager
Virtualization
Accounting
Authentication
Cgroups
Cryptography
Logging
Namespaces
Network
Software
Storage
Time
Database
Mail
Middleware
Monitoring
Printing
Shell
Web
Forensics
Incident Response
Malware
Risks
Security Monitoring
System Integrity
Security Auditing
Compliance

16. Technical Auditing

17. Auditing
Why audit?
● Checking defenses
● Assurance
● Quality Control
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18. Auditing
Who?
● Auditors
● Security Professionals
● System Engineers
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19. Auditing
How?
1. Focus
2. Audit
3. Focus
4. Harden
5. Repeat!
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20. Resources
Guides
● Center for Internet Security (CIS)
● NIST / NSA
● OWASP
● Vendors
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21. Guides
Pros
Free to use
Detailed
You are in control
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Cons
Time intensive
Usually no tooling
Limited distributions
Delayed releases
No follow-up

22. Audit Tool: Lynis

23. Lynis
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24. Lynis
2007
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25. Lynis
GPL v3
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26. Lynis
Shell script
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27. Lynis
Goal 1
In-depth security scan
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28. Lynis
Goal 2
Quick and easy to use
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29. Lynis
Goal 3
Define the next (hardening) step
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30. Differences with other tools

31. Lynis
Simple
● No installation needed
● Run with simple commands
● No configuration needed
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32. Lynis
Flexibility
● No dependencies*
● Can be easily extended
● Custom tests
* Besides common tools like awk, grep, ps
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33. Lynis
Portability
● Run on all UNIX platforms
● Detect and use “on the go”
● Usable after OS version upgrade
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34. Running Lynis

35. How it works
● Initialise → OS detection → Read profiles
→ Detect binaries
● Run helpers / plugins / tests
● Show audit results
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36. Running Lynis
1. lynis
2. lynis audit system
3. lynis audit system --quick
4. lynis audit system --quick --quiet
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37. Lynis Profiles
Optional configuration
● Default profile (default.prf)
● Custom profile (custom.prf)
● Other profiles with --profile
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38. Lynis Profiles
Example: developer
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39. Plugins
An extension to Lynis
Plugins are mostly for gathering facts
Customization: include/tests_custom or custom plugin
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40. Demo?

41. Lessons Learned

42. Lessons Learned
Simplicity
● Keep it simple
● First impression
● Next step
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43. Lessons Learned
Less is better
● Dependencies
● Program arguments
● Screen output
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44. Lessons Learned
Documentation
● Understand its power
● Focus on new users
● Separate properly
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45. Lessons Learned
GitHub
Stats: issues / pulls / stars / watchers
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46. Lessons Learned
Open Source = Business
It needs PR, blog posts, attention
(like a business)
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47. Future

48. Future
● Packages
● More tests
● Quality control
● Linting
● Unit tests
● Software Development Kit
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49. Future
Want to help?
● Submit patches
● Provide feedback
● Deploy Lynis
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50. You finished this presentation
Success!

51. Learn more?
Follow
● Blog Linux Audit (linux-audit.com)
● Twitter @mboelen
This presentation can be found on michaelboelen.com
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