# Cis Ubuntu1204 V110 4 1

> Restrict Core Dumps

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1204-v110-4-1` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1204-v110-4-1`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu1204-v110-4-1/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-ubuntu1204-v110-4-1

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# 4.1 Restrict Core Dumps (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1

## Description

A core dump is the memory of an executable program. It is generally used to determine why a program aborted. It can also be used to glean confidential information from a core file. The system provides the ability to set a soft limit for core dumps, but this can be overridden by the user.

## Rationale

Setting a hard limit on core dumps prevents users from overriding the soft variable. If core dumps are required, consider setting limits for user groups (see `limits.conf(5)`). In addition, setting the `fs.suid_dumpable` variable to 0 will prevent setuid programs from dumping core. The `apport` service if active will override the `fs.suid_dumpable` variable setting and automatically create core dump reports. The `whoopsie` service monitors `apport` core dump reports and transmits them to Canonical.

## Audit Procedure

### Using Command Line

Perform the following to determine if core dumps are restricted:

```bash
grep "hard core" /etc/security/limits.conf
sysctl fs.suid_dumpable
```

Ensure no start conditions are listed for the apport or whoopsie services:

```bash
initctl show-config apport apport
initctl show-config whoopsie whoopsie
```

## Expected Result

The first command should return: `* hard core 0`
The second command should return: `fs.suid_dumpable = 0`
The apport and whoopsie services should have no start conditions or be disabled.

## Remediation

### Using Command Line

Add the following line to the `/etc/security/limits.conf` file:

```
* hard core 0
```

Add the following line to the `/etc/sysctl.conf` file:

```
fs.suid_dumpable = 0
```

Uninstall the `apport` and `whoopsie` packages or comment out any start lines in `/etc/init/apport.conf` and `/etc/init/whoopsie.conf` files:

```
#start on runlevel [2345]
```

## Default Value

By default, core dumps are enabled and `apport` may be active on Ubuntu 12.04.

## References

- CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0

## Profile

Level 1 - Scored