DISA STIGS Viewer

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS must be configured so that the Advance Package Tool (APT) removes all software components after updated versions have been installed.

Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-260477 UBTU-22-214015 SV-260477r1044773_rule   Medium
Description
Previous versions of software components that are not removed from the information system after updates have been installed may be exploited by adversaries. Some information technology products may remove older versions of software automatically from the information system.
STIG Date
Canonical Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide 2025-05-16

Details

Check Text (C-64206r1044771_chk)
Verify APT is configured to remove all software components after updated versions have been installed by using the following command:

$ grep -i remove-unused /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades
Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-Unused-Kernel-Packages "true";
Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-Unused-Dependencies "true";

If "Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-Unused-Kernel-Packages" and "Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-Unused-Dependencies" are not set to "true", are commented out, or are missing, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-64114r1044772_fix)
Configure APT to remove all software components after updated versions have been installed.

Add or modify the following lines in the "/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades" file:

Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-Unused-Kernel-Packages "true";
Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-Unused-Dependencies "true";