Mandatory Access Control with AppArmor
Mandatory Access Control (MAC) is a policy-based security framework that augments conventional security systems by providing an additional layer of protection. Unlike normal permissions, which revolve around performing functions on a filesystem, MAC deals with applications rather than files and directories. MAC doesn't replace existing permissions but supplements them. Since Linux Kernel 2.6, all the MAC versions are implemented over the Linux Security Module (LSM) framework. This article will focus on AppArmor [1], which has been around since 1998 and has been supported by Canonical since 2009.
One advantage of a policy-based model is that a policy cannot be changed by the user, unlike normal permissions, which can be changed if you have sufficient rights. Another added benefit is that it is applicable to all users, even those with superuser privileges.
AppArmor: A Beginner's Delight
Policy-based systems have a higher learning curve, but even the most basic MAC will bolster the system security. Many policy-based systems are so complex that users don't delve deeply enough to implement them effectively. One benefit of AppArmor is that it is comprehensive, yet simple enough to deploy with minimal investment of time and training.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs Transitions to Linux
Another major organization has decided to kick Microsoft Windows and Office to the curb in favor of Linux.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.
-
Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.
-
Plasma 6.5 Promises Better Memory Optimization
With the stable Plasma 6.4 on the horizon, KDE has a few new tricks up its sleeve for Plasma 6.5.
-
KaOS 2025.05 Officially Qt5 Free
If you're a fan of independent Linux distributions, the team behind KaOS is proud to announce the latest iteration that includes kernel 6.14 and KDE's Plasma 6.3.5.