Description: The evaluation policy in SELinux refers to the set of rules that determine how access evaluations to system resources are conducted. These policies are fundamental to the operation of SELinux, a security module that implements mandatory access control (MAC) in Linux operating systems. The policy defines which users and processes can access which resources, as well as the actions they can perform. This is achieved through a labeling system that assigns a security context to each object and subject in the system. The evaluation policy is essential to ensure that access decisions are made consistently and predictably, helping to protect the system against unauthorized access and vulnerabilities. Additionally, it allows system administrators to customize security rules according to the specific needs of their environment, providing a flexible and robust framework for managing security. In summary, the evaluation policy in SELinux is a critical component that ensures interactions between users, processes, and resources occur according to established security guidelines, thereby contributing to the integrity and confidentiality of the system.
History: SELinux was developed by the National Security Agency (NSA) in the early 2000s as part of an effort to enhance the security of Linux systems. The first public version of SELinux was released in 2003, and since then it has evolved with contributions from the open-source community and various Linux distributions. Over the years, SELinux has been adopted by many distributions, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora, becoming a de facto standard for security in Linux.
Uses: The SELinux evaluation policy is primarily used in environments where security is a priority, such as web servers, databases, and critical systems. It allows administrators to define specific rules that control access to files, processes, and other system resources, helping to prevent attacks and unauthorized access. Additionally, it is used in security audits to verify that access configurations align with the organization’s security policies.
Examples: A practical example of the SELinux evaluation policy is its use in a web server running critical applications. In this case, policies can be established that restrict application processes’ access to certain files and directories, ensuring that only authorized processes can interact with them. Another example is the implementation of policies that limit access to databases, allowing only certain users or applications to perform queries or modifications.
