# Cis Ocp Vm V100 1 7

> Ensure KSM is disabled (Automated)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-vm-v100-1-7` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-vm-v100-1-7`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-vm-v100-1-7/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ocp-vm-v100-1-7

---


# CIS 1.7 — Ensure KSM is disabled

## Profile Applicability

- Level 2

## Description

Kernel Samepage Merging (KSM) is a Linux kernel feature that merges identical memory pages across virtual machines running on a single host, potentially reducing memory usage and improving system performance.

## Rationale

Sharing resources introduces the risk of memory corruption attacks, unauthorized or unintended sharing of information, and the manipulation of data flow restrictions.

## Impact

Disabling Kernel Samepage Merging (KSM) does not impact normal node operations. Workloads requiring a high amount of memory usage could potentially see an impact on system performance.

## Audit Procedure

Use the following command to list KSM configuration for hyperconverged resources:

```bash
$ oc get hyperconvergeds kubevirt-hyperconverged -n openshift-cnv -ojsonpath='{.spec.ksmConfiguration}'
```

## Remediation

Disable the KSM feature. For example, by directly editing the object with `oc edit hyperconverged kubevirt-hyperconverged -n openshift-cnv` and set the field to `false`.

## Default Value

KSM is disabled by default. The command should return `false`.

## References

- CIS Redhat OpenShift Virtual Machine Extension Benchmark v1.0.0, Section 1.7

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                         | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 4.8 Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Services on Enterprise Assets and Software | N    | Y    | Y    |
| v7               | 9.1 Associate Active Ports, Services and Protocols to Asset Inventory           | N    | Y    | Y    |

## MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

| Tactic            | Technique                                |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Credential Access | T1212 Exploitation for Credential Access |
| Collection        | T1005 Data from Local System             |

## Profile

- Level 2 - OpenShift Virtualization