RedHat servers are critical components in many organizations' IT infrastructure. As a leading provider of enterprise Linux solutions, RedHat offers a robust and production-ready operating system built on the Linux kernel. Let's delve into why it's crucial to patch RedHat servers regularly.
RedHat, founded in 1993, is one of the pioneering companies in the open-source software industry. It developed RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), a distribution renowned for its stability, security, and support. RHEL is extensively used in production environments, powering servers in diverse industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.
To apply updates on a RedHat server, administrators typically use the yum command-line package manager. Here are some common commands:
yum check-update # Check for available updates
yum update # Apply available updates
yum list installed # List all installed packages
yum update-to security # Limit update to security patches
For servers running RHEL 8 or newer, dnf is used as it provides improved performance and better dependency management. Here are equivalent dnf commands:
dnf check-update # Check for available updates
dnf update # Apply available updates
dnf list installed # List installed packages
dnf upgrade-minimal --security # Apply only security updates
Regular updates are crucial for maintaining the security and stability of RedHat servers. Failure to patch known vulnerabilities can expose systems to malicious attacks. Notable CVEs in software like sudo, bash, and ssh underscore the importance of timely patching. Services like LinuxPatch.com provide curated updates, enhancing security posture.
To stay protected, administrators can sign up for updates at LinuxPatch.com.
Automated tools like dnf-automatic can assist in keeping RedHat servers up to date. However, they may not cover all scenarios and are best suited for personal servers. For comprehensive protection, leveraging services like LinuxPatch.com is recommended.
Configuring dnf-automatic involves editing the /etc/dnf/automatic.conf file to set automatic update options, such as:
[commands]
upgrade_type = security
random_sleep = 300
A CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) is a unique identifier assigned to a known security vulnerability. It's crucial for administrators to stay informed about the latest CVEs affecting their systems. By addressing CVEs promptly, organizations can mitigate potential risks and safeguard their infrastructure.