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# Grsecurity

From ArchWiki

The grsecurity project, hosted on https://grsecurity.net, provides various patches to the Linux kernel which enhance your system's overall security. grsecurity also ships with PaX which provides the most advanced memory protections of any OS. PaX invented ASLR and shows that it is only the tip of the iceberg. The RBAC Mandatory Access Control system of grsecurity was the inspiration for SELinux and AppArmor.

In short, a Linux kernel hardened with grsecurity is the most hardened kernel you could have. Not even OpenBSD has all the hardening features it provides. A comprehensive list is maintained on the grsecurity features page itself. However, the grsecurity Wiki is often out-of-date. The best way is to simply read the help text in the kernel config.

Arch has all the utilities and kernel packages you need to run a grsecurity hardened Arch Linux system in the AUR. Arch even has a script called linux-pax-flags which will make using PaX as painless as possible by setting all of the PaX flags for you.

You can install the kernel either from a binary repository or - if you want more control - manually from the AUR.

## Build Options

There are three ways you can install a grsecurity hardened kernel in Arch. The first is by adding a repository to install the binary kernel. The second option is to build it from the AUR package. The third option is to patch and build the kernel all by hand.

Your best bet is probably to use the binary grsecurity kernel repository. If you have the time, build the AUR package yourself for added security. You would really never want to build and maintain the kernel outside the package management system. That text is just their for completeness and may be removed.

Note: Any way you choose to install the grsecurity kernel you will need to also install gradm, paxctl, and linux-pax-flags

## Install binary kernel packages

Add the Arsch Arch Linux Repository to your package sources and install the kernel with `pacman -Sy linux-grsec` (or the PaX only kernel with `pacman -Sy linux-pax`). Finish by adding the new kernel to your bootloader menu (with `grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg` for example) and reboot.

If you rely on specific hooks, like catalyst-hook, you have to install the headers first with `pacman -Sy linux-grsec-headers`.

After configuration of grsecurity sysctl options, set `kernel.grsecurity.grsec_lock = 1` in `/etc/sysctl.conf`, so no hardening option can be deactivated later (even by root).

## Build kernel from AUR

To build the AUR package we will follow this general game plan. First, download all needed files and check GPG signatures. Second, configure kernel and compile. Third, copy a backup of these files to the Root users home folder. Forth, install utilities needed for PaX and RBAC. Fifth, install the kernel package. Sixth, run linux-pax-flags to poke security holes in applications that will not run without them. Finally, reboot into your hardened system.

### Download Files

Download the packages linux-grsec Or linux-grsec-lts

Kernel linux-3.X.tar.xz and current patch-3.X.X.tar.xz also the .sign signature files for each. kernel.org

Download the current grsecurity patch and Signatures grsecurity Test Or grsecurity Stable for LTS kernel

Tip: The Grsecurity Test is in fact stable. The Stable Grsecurity version is just for the LTS

#### Verify The GPG Signatures

With the .sign files in the same directory as the file it is a a signature of, verify the signature like so...

    $ gpg2 --verify linux-3.10.tar.sign

### Setup Build Environment

Unpack the linux-grsec.tar.gz and copy all the files into it

    $ tar xzf linux-grsec.tar.gz
    $ cp ~/Downloads/linux-3.10.tar.xz ~/linux-grsec
    $ cp ~/Downloads/patch-3.10.9.tar.xz ~/linux-grsec
    $ cp ~/Downloads/grsecurity-2.9.1-3.10.9-201308202015.patch ~/linux-grsec

Change into the build directory

    $ cd ~/linux-grsec

### Build the Kernel Package

It is going to take a long time to build the kernel because it is based on the default Arch kernel config with has about ten times as make modules enabled then your system actually needs. However, it is a known working config and to eliminate any more variables it is advisable to just live with the extra build time.

Build the package

    $ MENUCONFIG=2 makepkg

You should be dropped into the ncurses GUI now. Navigate to the grsecurity settings to verify the configuration and/or change things as needed. These setting can be found in `Security options ---> grsecurity ---> Customize Configuration --->`

For both Desktops and Servers after you are sure you will not need to change any of the Grsecurity settings with sysctl, disable `Sysctl support` found in `Sysctl Support`.

If this kernel is for a Server also enable `Disable privileged I/O` found in `Memory Protections`.

All other setting should be optimal as they are, so now exit out of the ncurses GUI config and Save. Now the package should start to build. If all goes well you will have two .pkg.tar.xz packages one for the kernel and one for the kernel-headers.

#### Make a Backup

Keep all linux-grsec.tar.gz files along with the grsecruity patch and compiled packages in the Root users home folder. That way you can roll back if needed. Every time a new grsecurity patch is release you will not be able to download outdated patches every again.

    # mkdir /root/3.10.9
    # cp -r /home/USER/linux-grsec /root/3.10.9

### Install PaX and RBAC Utilities

The AUR has three utilities you will need to install. They are paxctl, gradm, and linux-pax-flags.

For simplicities sake I will assume you are using yaourt to install package form the AUR, however any other way of installing these packages will work as well.

    $ yaourt -S linux-pax-flags paxctl gradm

### Set PaX Flags

Use the linux-pax-flags program to configure all the PaX flags for troublesome programs. More information can be found in the Using linux-pax-flags AUR Package section.

    # linux-pax-flags

### Install Hardened Kernel

Now that all the needed utilities are installed and the system is configured for PaX, install the hardened kernel and headers.

    # pacman -U /root/3.10.9/*.pkg.tar.xz

Finish by adding the new kernel to your bootloader menu (with `grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg` for example) and reboot.

You should now be in your hardened system. Just make sure to run `linux-pax-flags` after every time you update your system or install a new program and you should have a trouble free experience.

## Build Kernel without the AUR

Throughout this document we will talk about kernel configuration using the kernel variables like CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PAX_NO_ACL_FLAGS. These are the variables that the kernel build process uses to determine if a certain feature needs to be compiled.

When you configure your kernel through make menuconfig or similar, you receive a user interface through which you can select the various kernel options. If you select the Help button at a certain kernel feature you will see at the top that it lists such a kernel variable.

You can therefore still configure your kernel as you like - with a bit of thinking. And if you cannot find a certain option, there is always the possibility to edit /usr/src/linux/.config by hand :)

Of course, to be able to select the various grsecurity kernel options, you must enable grsecurity in your kernel. See default grsecurity kernel configuration

### PaX

#### Fighting the Exploitation of Software Bugs

PaX introduces a couple of security mechanisms that make it harder for attackers to exploit software bugs that involve memory corruption (so do not treat PaX as if it protects against all possible software bugs). The PaX introduction document talks about three possible exploit techniques:

1. introduce/execute arbitrary code
2. execute existing code out of original program order
3. execute existing code in original program order with arbitrary data

One prevention method disallows executable code to be stored in writable memory. When we look at a process, it requires five memory regions:

1. a data section which contains the statically allocated and global data
2. a BSS region (Block Started by Symbol) which contains information about the zero-initialized data of the process
3. a code region, also called the text segment, which contains the executable instructions
4. a heap which contains the dynamically allocated memory
5. a stack which contains the local variables

The first PaX prevention method, called NOEXEC, is meant to give control over the runtime code generation. It marks memory pages that do not contain executable code as non-executable. This means that the heap and the stack, which only contain variable data and should not contain executable code, are marked as non-executable. Exploits that place code in these areas with the intention of running it will fail.

NOEXEC does more than this actually, interested readers should focus their attention to the PaX NOEXEC documentation.

The second PaX prevention method, called ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization), randomize the addresses given to memory requests. Where previously memory was assigned contiguously (which means exploits know where the tasks' memory regions are situated) ASLR randomizes this allocation, rendering techniques that rely on this information useless.

More information about ASLR can be found online.

#### PaX kernel configuration

The recommended kernel setting for PaX is:

    #
    # Security options
    #
    #
    # PaX
    #
    CONFIG_PAX=y
    #
    # PaX Control
    #
    # CONFIG_PAX_SOFTMODE is not set
    CONFIG_PAX_EI_PAX=y
    CONFIG_PAX_PT_PAX_FLAGS=y
    CONFIG_PAX_NO_ACL_FLAGS=y
    # CONFIG_PAX_HAVE_ACL_FLAGS is not set
    # CONFIG_PAX_HOOK_ACL_FLAGS is not set
    #
    # Non-executable pages
    #
    CONFIG_PAX_NOEXEC=y
    CONFIG_PAX_PAGEEXEC=y
    CONFIG_PAX_SEGMEXEC=y
    # CONFIG_PAX_DEFAULT_PAGEEXEC is not set
    CONFIG_PAX_DEFAULT_SEGMEXEC=y
    CONFIG_PAX_EMUTRAMP=y
    CONFIG_PAX_MPROTECT=y
    # CONFIG_PAX_NOELFRELOCS is not set
    #
    # Address Space Layout Randomization
    #
    CONFIG_PAX_ASLR=y
    CONFIG_PAX_RANDKSTACK=y
    CONFIG_PAX_RANDUSTACK=y
    CONFIG_PAX_RANDMMAP=y
    #
    # Miscellaneous hardening features
    #
    CONFIG_PAX_MEMORY_SANITIZE=y
    CONFIG_PAX_MEMORY_UDEREF=y
    CONFIG_KEYS=y
    # CONFIG_KEYS_DEBUG_PROC_KEYS is not set
    CONFIG_SECURITY=y
    CONFIG_SECURITY_NETWORK=y
    CONFIG_SECURITY_NETWORK_XFRM=y
    CONFIG_SECURITY_CAPABILITIES=m
    CONFIG_SECURITY_ROOTPLUG=m

If you are running a non-x86 system you will observe that there is no CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PAX_NOEXEC. You should select CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PAX_PAGEEXEC instead as it is the only non-exec implementation around.

#### Controlling PaX

Not all Linux applications are happy with the PaX security restrictions. These tools include xorg-x11, java, mplayer, xmms and others. If you plan on using them you can elevate the protections for these applications using chpax and paxctl. You can find they on AUR.

You can also use pax-utils, which is a small toolbox which contains useful applications to administrate a PaX aware server. Find it on AUR.

Interesting tools include scanelf and pspax:

- With scanelf you can scan over library and binary directories and list the various permissions and ELF types that pertain to running an ideal pax/grsec setup
- With pspax you can display PaX flags/capabilities/xattr from the kernel's perspective

#### Verifying the PaX Settings

Peter Busser has written a regression test suite called paxtest. This tool will check various cases of possible attack vectors and inform you of the result. When you run it, it will leave a logfile called paxtest.log in the current working directory.

    # paxtest
    Executable anonymous mapping             : Killed
    Executable bss                           : Killed
    Executable data                          : Killed
    Executable heap                          : Killed
    Executable stack                         : Killed
    Executable anonymous mapping (mprotect)  : Killed
    Executable bss (mprotect)                : Killed
    Executable data (mprotect)               : Killed
    Executable heap (mprotect)               : Killed
    Executable stack (mprotect)              : Killed
    Executable shared library bss (mprotect) : Killed
    Executable shared library data (mprotect): Killed
    Writable text segments                   : Killed
    Anonymous mapping randomisation test     : 16 bits (guessed)
    Heap randomisation test (ET_EXEC)        : 13 bits (guessed)
    Heap randomisation test (ET_DYN)         : 25 bits (guessed)
    Main executable randomisation (ET_EXEC)  : 16 bits (guessed)
    Main executable randomisation (ET_DYN)   : 17 bits (guessed)
    Shared library randomisation test        : 16 bits (guessed)
    Stack randomisation test (SEGMEXEC)      : 23 bits (guessed)
    Stack randomisation test (PAGEEXEC)      : No randomisation
    Return to function (strcpy)              : Vulnerable
    Return to function (memcpy)              : Vulnerable
    Return to function (strcpy, RANDEXEC)    : Killed
    Return to function (memcpy, RANDEXEC)    : Killed
    Executable shared library bss            : Killed
    Executable shared library data           : Killed

In the above example run you notice that:

- strcpy and memcpy are listed as Vulnerable. This is expected and normal - it is simply showing the need for a technology such as ProPolice/SSP
- there is no randomization for PAGEEXEC. This is normal since our recommended x86 kernel configuration did not activate the PAGEEXEC setting. However, on arches that support a true NX (non-executable) bit (most of them do, including x86_64), PAGEEXEC is the only method available for NOEXEC and has no performance hit.

### Filesystem Protection

#### Fighting Chroot and Filesystem Abuse

Grsecurity2 includes many patches that prohibits users from gaining unnecessary knowledge about the system. This includes restrictions on /proc usage, chrooting, linking, etc.

#### Kernel Configuration

We recommend the following grsecurity kernel configuration for filesystem protection:

    #
    # Filesystem Protections
    #
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PROC=y
    # CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PROC_USER is not set
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PROC_USERGROUP=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PROC_GID=3
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PROC_ADD=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_LINK=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_FIFO=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_MOUNT=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_DOUBLE=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_PIVOT=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_CHDIR=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_CHMOD=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_FCHDIR=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_MKNOD=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_SHMAT=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_UNIX=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_FINDTASK=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_NICE=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_SYSCTL=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_CAPS=y

#### Triggering the Security Mechanism

When you are using a kernel compiled with the above (or similar) settings, you will get the option to enable/disable many of the options through the /proc filesystem or via sysctl.

The example below shows an excerpt of a typical /etc/sysctl.conf:

    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_sysctl = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_caps = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_execlog = 0
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_restrict_nice = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_mknod = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_chmod = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_enforce_chdir = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_pivot = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_chroot = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_fchdir = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_mount = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_unix = 1
    kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_shmat = 1

You can enable or disable settings at will using the sysctl command:

    (Toggling the exec_logging feature ON)
    # sysctl -w kernel.grsecurity.exec_logging = 1
    (Toggling the exec_logging feature OFF)
    # sysctl -w kernel.grsecurity.exec_logging = 0

There is a very important sysctl setting pertaining to grsecurity, namely kernel.grsecurity.grsec_lock. When set, you are not able to change any setting anymore.

    # sysctl -w kernel.grsecurity.grsec_lock = 1

### Kernel Auditing

#### Extend your System's Logging Facilities

grsecurity adds extra functionality to the kernel pertaining the logging. With grsecurity's Kernel Auditing the kernel informs you when applications are started, devices (un)mounted, etc.

#### The various Kernel Audit Settings

The following kernel configuration section can be used to enable grsecurity's Kernel Audit Settings:

    #
    # Kernel Auditing
    #
    # CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_AUDIT_GROUP is not set
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_EXECLOG=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_RESLOG=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_CHROOT_EXECLOG=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_AUDIT_CHDIR=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_AUDIT_MOUNT=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_AUDIT_IPC=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_SIGNAL=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_FORKFAIL=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_TIME=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_PROC_IPADDR=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_AUDIT_TEXTREL=y

### Process Restrictions

#### Executable Protection

With grsecurity you can restrict executables. Since most exploits work through one or more running processes this protection can save your system's health.

#### Network Protection

Linux' TCP/IP stack is vulnerable to prediction-based attacks. grsecurity includes randomization patches to counter these attacks. Apart from these you can also enable socket restrictions, disallowing certain groups network access altogether.

#### Kernel Settings

The following kernel settings enable various executable and network protections:

    #
    # Executable Protections
    #
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_EXECVE=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_DMESG=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_RANDPID=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_TPE=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_TPE_ALL=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_TPE_GID=100

    #
    # Network Protections
    #
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_RANDNET=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_RANDISN=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_RANDID=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_RANDSRC=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_RANDRPC=y
    # CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_SOCKET is not set

## RBAC

Role Based Access Control

There are two basic types of access control mechanisms used to prevent unauthorized access to files (or information in general): DAC (Discretionary Access Control) and MAC (Mandatory Access Control). By default, Linux uses a DAC mechanism: the creator of the file can define who has access to the file. A MAC system however forces everyone to follow rules set by the administrator.

The MAC implementation grsecurity supports is called Role Based Access Control. RBAC associates roles with each user. Each role defines what operations can be performed on certain objects. Given a well-written collection of roles and operations your users will be restricted to perform only those tasks that you tell them they can do. The default "deny-all" ensures you that a user cannot perform an action you have not thought of.

### Configuring the Kernel

The recommended kernel setting for RBAC is:

    #
    # Role Based Access Control Options
    #
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_ACL_HIDEKERN=y
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_ACL_MAXTRIES=3
    CONFIG_GRKERNSEC_ACL_TIMEOUT=30

### Working with gradm

gradm is a tool which allows you to administer and maintain a policy for your system. With it, you can enable or disable the RBAC system, reload the RBAC roles, change your role, set a password for admin mode, etc.

When you install gradm a default policy will be installed in /etc/grsec/policy. Please see in AUR for gradm package.

By default, the RBAC policies are not activated. It is the sysadmin's job to determine when the system should have an RBAC policy enforced. Before activating the RBAC system you should set an admin password.

    # gradm -P admin
    Setting up grsecurity RBAC password
    Password: (Enter a well-chosen password)
    Re-enter Password: (Enter the same password for confirmation)
    Password written in /etc/grsec/pw
    # gradm -E

To disable the RBAC system, run gradm -D. If you are not allowed to, you first need to switch to the admin role:

    # gradm -a admin
    Password: (Enter your admin role password)
    # gradm -D

If you want to leave the admin role, run gradm -u admin:

    # gradm -u admin

### Generating a Policy

The RBAC system comes with a great feature called "learning mode". The learning mode can generate an anticipatory least privilege policy for your system. This allows for time and money savings by being able to rapidly deploy multiple secure servers.

To use the learning mode, activate it using gradm:

    # gradm -F -L /etc/grsec/learning.log

Now use your system, do the things you would normally do. Try to avoid rsyncing, running locate or any other heavy file i/o operation as this can really slow down the processing time.

When you believe you have used your system sufficiently to obtain a good policy, let gradm process them and propose roles under `/etc/grsec/learning.roles`:

    # gradm -F -L /etc/grsec/learning.log -O /etc/grsec/learning.roles

Audit the `/etc/grsec/learning.roles` and save it as `/etc/grsec/policy` (mode `0600`) when you are finished.

    # mv /etc/grsec/learning.roles /etc/grsec/policy
    # chmod 0600 /etc/grsec/policy

You will now be able to enable the RBAC system with your new learned policy.

### Tweaking your Policy

An interesting feature of grsecurity 2.x is Set Operation Support for the configuration file. Currently it supports unions, intersections and differences of sets (of objects in this case).

    define objset1 {
    /root/blah rw
    /root/blah2 r
    /root/blah3 x
    }

    define somename2 {
    /root/test1 rw
    /root/blah2 rw
    /root/test3 h
    }

Here is an example of its use, and the resulting objects that will be added to your subject:

    subject /somebinary o
    $objset1 & $somename2

The above would expand to:

    subject /somebinary o
    /root/blah2 r

This is the result of the & operator which takes both sets and returns the files that exist in both sets and the permission for those files that exist in both sets.

    subject /somebinary o
    $objset1 | $somename2

This example would expand to:

    subject /somebinary o
    /root/blah rw
    /root/blah2 rw
    /root/blah3 x
    /root/test1 rw
    /root/test3 h

This is the result of the | operator which takes both sets and returns the files that exist in either set. If a file exists in both sets, it is returned as well and the mode contains the flags that exist in either set.

    subject /somebinary o
    $objset1 - $somename2

This example would expand to:

    subject /somebinary o
    /root/blah rw
    /root/blah2 h
    /root/blah3 x

This is the result of the - operator which takes both sets and returns the files that exist in the set on the left but not in the match of the file in set on the right. If a file exists on the left and a match is found on the right (either the filenames are the same, or a parent directory exists in the right set), the file is returned and the mode of the second set is removed from the first set, and that file is returned.

In some obscure pseudo-language you could see this as:

    if ( ($objset1 contained /tmp/blah rw) and
         ($objset2 contained /tmp/blah r) )
    then
      $objset1 - $objset2 would contain /tmp/blah w

    if ( ($objset1 contained /tmp/blah rw) and
         ($objset2 contained / rwx) )
    then
      $objset1 - $objset2 would contain /tmp/blah h

As for order of precedence (from highest to lowest): "-, & |".

If you do not want to bother remembering precedence, parenthesis support is also included, so you can do things like:

    (($set1 - $set2) | $set3) & $set4

## Using linux-pax-flags AUR Package

The linux-pax-flags program is what makes using PaX on Arch Linux easy as pie. When you run this program it will set the PaX flags for all the problematic programs for you. However, if you use some uncommon program it may have problems forcing you to set the paxctl flags yourself. You will most likely see something like `Denied RWX` in journalctl. That means you will need to disable MPROTECT for the program `paxctl -cPEmRXS /usr/bin/bla`

After you find what PaX flags need to be set post a comment on the linux-pax-flags AUR package so it can be added.

More extensive documentation of the linux-pax-flags utility is to be found on its man page.

## Tips and Tricks

Because you will not be able to change the PaX flags for a running program, and that the vast majority of programs which would need them are graphical, it is strongly advisable to not use a Graphical Login like GDM or KDM. Instead simply have the system drop you to a console to log in and use `startx`. Then you will have a chance to set the PaX flags before anything starts. For the same reasons it is strongly advisable to update your system and run `linux-pax-flags` right after boot, before running `startx`.

Grsecurity will harden /proc and /sys so your normal user will no longer be able to see the network status, because of this none of your desktop network monitors will work. Instead just install terminal based monitoring programs, such as nmon or nload and run them as root, or as a user in the proc-trusted group.

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