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NixOS must prohibit user installation of system software without explicit privileged status.

Overview

Finding IDVersionRule IDIA ControlsSeverity
V-268152ANIX-00-001450SV-268152r1131105_ruleCCI-003980medium
Description
Allowing regular users to install software, without explicit privileges, creates the risk that untested or potentially malicious software will be installed on the system. Explicit privileges (escalated or administrative privileges) provide the regular user with explicit capabilities and control that exceeds the rights of a regular user. Operating system functionality will vary, and while users are not permitted to install unapproved software, there may be instances where the organization allows the user to install approved software packages, such as from an approved software repository. The operating system or software configuration management utility must enforce control of software installation by users based upon what types of software installations are permitted (e.g., updates and security patches to existing software) and what types of installations are prohibited (e.g., software whose pedigree with regard to being potentially malicious is unknown or suspect) by the organization.
STIGDate
Anduril NixOS Security Technical Implementation Guide2025-08-19

Related Frameworks

1 mapping across 4 frameworks
SCF0 mappings

No source states a mapping between these directly.

Also reachable in 3 hops (3) derived by us, not asserted by any source

Each of these is a route we composed by chaining published mappings. No publisher states a relationship between the two endpoints.

CFG-05User-Installed Software
0.50
CFG-05.2Restrict Roles Permitted To Install Software
0.50
END-03Prohibit Installation Without Privileged Status
0.50
NIST 800-530 mappings

No source states a mapping between these directly.

Also reachable in 2 hops (42) derived by us, not asserted by any source

Each of these is a route we composed by chaining published mappings. No publisher states a relationship between the two endpoints.

AC-2(1)Automated System Account Management
1.00
AC-2(10)Shared and Group Account Credential Change
1.00
AC-2(2)Automated Temporary and Emergency Account Management
1.00
AC-2(3)Disable Accounts
1.00
AC-2(4)Automated Audit Actions
1.00
AC-3Access Enforcement
1.00
AC-3(4)Discretionary Access Control
1.00
AC-3(7)Role-based Access Control
1.00
AC-4Information Flow Enforcement
1.00
AC-6(10)Prohibit Non-privileged Users from Executing Privileged Functions
1.00

+32 more (top 10 by confidence shown)

CCI1 mapping
CCI-003980
1.00
NIST CSF 2.00 mappings

No source states a mapping between these directly.

Also reachable in 4 hops (1) derived by us, not asserted by any source

Each of these is a route we composed by chaining published mappings. No publisher states a relationship between the two endpoints.

PR.PS-05
0.50

Details

Check Text (C-268152r1131105_chk)

Verify NixOS prevents unauthorized users from using nix with the following command: $ grep -R allowed-users /etc/nixos/ /etc/nixos/configuration.nix:nix.settings.allowed-users = [ "root" "@wheel" ]; If any other groups or users are included in "nix.settings.allowed-users" other than "root" and "wheel", or the configuration setting does not exist, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-71979r1131104_fix)

Configure NixOS to prevent unauthorized users from using nix. Add the following Nix code to the NixOS Configuration, usually located in /etc/nixos/configuration.nix or /etc/nixos/flake.nix: nix.settings.allowed-users = [ "root" "@wheel" ]; Note: Extra usergroups may be permitted by adding them with the format "@group" (e.g.: "@users"). Rebuild and switch to the new NixOS configuration: $ sudo nixos-rebuild switch