# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 1.5.3 Ensure address space layout randomization (ASLR) is enabled

> Verify that ASLR is enabled to randomize process memory layout and mitigate exploits

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-5-3-ensure-address-space-layout-rando` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-5-3-ensure-address-space-layout-rando`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-5-3-ensure-address-space-layout-rando/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-1-5-3-ensure-address-space-layout-rando

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# 1.5.3 Ensure address space layout randomization (ASLR) is enabled (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

Address space layout randomization (ASLR) is an exploit mitigation technique which randomly arranges the address space of key data areas of a process.

## Rationale

Randomly placing virtual memory regions will make it difficult to write memory page exploits as the memory placement will be consistently shifting.

## Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify output matches:

```bash
sysctl kernel.randomize_va_space
# Expected: kernel.randomize_va_space = 2
grep "kernel\.randomize_va_space" /etc/sysctl.conf /etc/sysctl.d/*
# Expected: kernel.randomize_va_space = 2
```

## Expected Result

```
kernel.randomize_va_space = 2
kernel.randomize_va_space = 2
```

## Remediation

Set the following parameter in `/etc/sysctl.conf` or a `/etc/sysctl.d/*` file:

```
kernel.randomize_va_space = 2
```

Run the following command to set the active kernel parameter:

```bash
sysctl -w kernel.randomize_va_space=2
```

## Default Value

`kernel.randomize_va_space = 2`

## References

- CIS Controls: 8.4 Enable Anti-exploitation Features (i.e. DEP, ASLR, EMET)

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation