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STIG: Harden the SSH Daemon

MediumLinux Security20-30 min
The brief

The SSH daemon on this box ships wide open. Bring /etc/ssh/sshd_config into line with the DISA SSH STIG: disable direct root login, require key-based auth (no passwords), turn off X11 forwarding, cap authentication attempts (MaxAuthTries 4 or fewer), and set an idle-session timeout (ClientAliveInterval of 600 seconds or less). Grading inspects the actual sshd_config the way a SCAP scanner would — every control must pass to certify.

What you'll do
  • SSH: disable direct root login (PermitRootLogin no)
  • SSH: require key-based auth (PasswordAuthentication no)
  • SSH: disable X11 forwarding
  • SSH: cap authentication attempts (MaxAuthTries <= 4)
  • SSH: set an idle-session timeout (ClientAliveInterval 600)

Hands-on lab: you work on a real Linux box in your browser, graded on the machine's actual state.