Home > Articles > Operating Systems, Server > Solaris

Like this article? We recommend

Like this article? We recommend

Backup and Restore Practices for the EnterpriseBackup and Restore Practices for the Enterprise

Learn More Buy

Like this article? We recommend

Like this article? We recommend

Backup and Restore Practices for the EnterpriseBackup and Restore Practices for the Enterprise

Learn More Buy

Installing Security Software

The security recommendations to secure the Sun Fire 15K domain involve the installation of several security software packages. These packages include:

  • Recommended and Security patch clusters
  • FixModes software
  • OpenSSH software
  • MD5 software

NOTE

Of the packages described in this section, only the Solaris Security Toolkit software, the latest Recommend and Security patch clusters, the FixModes software, and the MD5 software are required. The use of OpenSSH, while strongly recommended, is not required. Commercial versions of SSH, available from a variety of vendors, may be substituted for OpenSSH.

The first step of securing a domain is to install the required software. This section describes how to install all required software packages.

Installing the Solaris Security Toolkit Software

First, download the Solaris Security Toolkit software and install it on the domain. The toolkit is used to automate the Solaris OE hardening tasks described later in this article.

The purpose of using the toolkit is to automate and simplify the building of secured Solaris OE systems based on the recommendations contained in this and other security-related Sun BluePrints articles referenced in this article. In the context of this article, a module has been developed to harden Sun Fire 15K domains.

Specifically, the toolkit focuses on Solaris OE security modifications that harden and minimize a system. Hardening is the modification of Solaris OE configurations to improve the security of the system. Minimization is the removal of unnecessary Solaris OE packages from the system to reduce the number of components that must be patched and secured. Reducing the number of components can potentially reduce entry points to an intruder.

NOTE

The toolkit does not address modifications for performance enhancement and software configuration.

The toolkit can harden systems during a Solaris OE installation by using the JumpStart technology as a mechanism for running toolkit scripts. Alternatively, the toolkit can be run outside of the JumpStart framework in standalone mode. This standalone mode enables you to use the toolkit on systems that require security modifications or updates but which cannot be taken out of service to reinstall the OS from scratch.

The Sun Fire 15K specific domain driver can be used in either standalone or JumpStart mode to secure a domain. It automates the hardening recommendations made in this Sun BluePrints article. This driver is included in version 0.3.4 of the Solaris Security Toolkit software.

When running the toolkit, either in standalone or JumpStart installation modes, copies of the files modified by the toolkit must not be deleted, which is the default behavior of the toolkit. The JASS_SAVE_BACKUP environment variable controls whether or not backup copies of files are kept.

NOTE

The following instructions use file names that are correct only for this release of the toolkit. It is recommended that you always use the most current version of the toolkit available from the URL provided in the first step of the following procedure.

Use the following procedure to download and install the toolkit:

  1. Download the source file (SUNWjass-0.3.4.pkg.Z).

    The source file is located at http://www.sun.com/security/jass

  2. Use the uncompress command to extract the source file into a directory on the server as follows:

    # uncompress SUNWjass-0.3.4.pkg.Z

  3. Use the pkgadd command to install the Solaris Security Toolkit software on the server as follows:

    # pkgadd -d SUNWjass-0.3.4.pkg SUNWjass

Executing this command creates the SUNWjass directory in /opt, which contains all of the toolkit directories and associated files. The script make-jass-pkg, which is included in toolkit releases since 0.3, enables you to create custom packages using a different installation directory.

Installing the Recommended and Security Patch Clusters

The installation procedures in this section use the Solaris Security Toolkit software to install the most recent Recommended and Security Patch clusters which are available from the SunSolveSM Online Web site. To install these patches with the toolkit, download them and store them, uncompressed, in the /opt/SUNWjass/Patches directory on the domain.

Sun regularly releases patches to provide Solaris OE fixes for performance, stability, functionality, and security reasons. It is critical to the security of the system that you install the most up-to-date patch clusters. This section describes how to use the Solaris Security Toolkit software to automatically install patches, thereby ensuring that the latest Recommended and Security patch clusters are installed on the domain.

  1. To download the latest cluster, go to the SunSolve Online Web site at http://sunsolve.sun.com and click the Patches link on the top of the left navigation bar.

    NOTE

    Downloading the Solaris OE Recommended and Security patch clusters does not require a SunSolveSM support contract.

  2. Next, select the appropriate Solaris OE version in the Recommended Solaris Patch Clusters box. This example uses Solaris 8 OE.

  3. After selecting the appropriate Solaris OE version, select the best download option, either HTTP or FTP, with the associated radio button and click the Go button.

  4. In the Save As window that appears in your browser, save the file locally in preparation for uploading it to the domain being hardened.

  5. After downloading the cluster, move the file securely to the domain using either the scp SSH command or the sftp SSH command. If SSH is not yet installed, use the ftp command. The scp command used to copy the file to an domain called domain01 should appear similar to the following:

    % scp 8_Recommended.zip domain01:/var/tmp

  6. Next, you must move the file to the /opt/SUNWjass/Patches directory and uncompress it. The following commands perform these tasks:

    # cd /opt/SUNWjass/Patches
# mv /var/tmp/8_Recommended.zip .
# unzip 8_Recommended.zip
Archive: 8_Recommended.zip
  creating: 8_Recommended/
 inflating: 8_Recommended/CLUSTER_README 
 inflating: 8_Recommended/copyright 
 inflating: 8_Recommended/install_cluster 
[. . .]

Once unzipped in the /opt/SUNWjass/Patches/8_Recommended directory, the latest patch cluster is automatically installed by the Solaris Security Toolkit software.

Installing the FixModes Software

This section describes how to download and install the FixModes software into the appropriate toolkit directory so it can be used to tighten file permissions during the toolkit run. By selectively modifying system permissions, it will be more difficult for malicious users to gain additional privileges on the system.

Follow these instructions to download the FixModes software:

  1. Download the FixModes precompiled binaries from http://www.sun.com/blueprints/tools/FixModes_license.html

    The FixModes software is distributed as a precompiled and compressed tar file.

  2. Save the downloaded file, FixModes.tar.Z, to the Solaris Security Toolkit Packages directory in /opt/SUNWjass/Packages

NOTE

Do not uncompress the tar archive.

Installing the OpenSSH Software

In any secured environment, the use of encryption, in combination with strong authentication, is highly recommended. At a minimum, user interactive sessions should be encrypted. The tool most commonly used to implement this is an implementation of secure shell (SSH) software. You can use either the commercially purchased version of the software or the freeware version of the software.

The use of a SSH variant is strongly recommended when implementing all of the security modifications performed by the Solaris Security Toolkit software. The toolkit disables all nonencrypted user-interactive services and daemons on the system. In particular, services such as in.rshd, in.telnetd, and in.ftpd are disabled. Access to the system can be gained with SSH in a similar fashion to what is provided by RSH, TELNET, and FTP. It is strongly recommended that you install SSH during a toolkit run as described in this article.

For information about compiling and deploying OpenSSH, refer to the Sun BluePrints OnLine article "Building and Deploying OpenSSH on the Solaris_ Operating Environment (July 2001)" available at http://www.sun.com/blueprints/0701/openSSH.pdf

Information about obtaining commercial versions of SSH is provided in the Bibliography section of this article.

Installing the MD5 Software

This section describes how to download and install the MD5 software used to validate MD5 digital fingerprints on Sun Fire 15K domains. The ability to validate the integrity of Solaris OE binaries provides a robust mechanism for detecting system binaries that may have been altered by unauthorized users of the system. By modifying system binaries, attackers can gain back-door access to the system.

Once it is installed, you can use the Solaris Fingerprint Database to verify the integrity of the executables included in the package. For more information about the Solaris Fingerprint Database, refer to the Sun BluePrint OnLine article "The Solaris_ Fingerprint Database—A Security Tool for Solaris Operating Environment and Files" available at http://www.sun.com/blueprints/0501/Fingerprint.pdf. This article also provides information about additional tools that can be used to simplify the process of validating system binaries against the database of MD5 checksums maintained by Sun at SunSolve Online Web site.

It is strongly recommended that you use these tools, in combination with the MD5 software installed in this section, to frequently validate the integrity of the Solaris OE binaries and files on the domain. In addition, ensure that MD5 signatures generated on the server are protected until they are sent to the Solaris FingerPrint Database for validation. After they have been used, delete the MD5 signatures until they are regenerated for the next validation check.

To install the MD5 program (Intel and SPARC_ technologies), follow these steps:

  1. Download the MD5 binaries from http://www.sun.com/blueprints/tools/md5_license.html

    The MD5 programs are distributed as a compressed tar file.

  2. Save the downloaded file, md5.tar.Z, to the Solaris Security Toolkit Packages directory in /opt/SUNWjass/Packages

NOTE

Do not uncompress the tar archive.

After the MD5 software has been saved to the /opt/SUNWjass/Packages directory, it is installed during the execution of the Solaris Security Toolkit software.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020