# Ensure noexec Mount Option is Set on /var/log Partition to Prevent Execution of Binaries

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000234986-ensure-noexec-mount-option-is-set-on-var-log-partition-to-prevent-execution-of-binaries
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [CIS Amazon Linux 2 Benchmark v3.0.0](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/62000112696) › [CIS Amazon Linux 2 Benchmarks](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/62000169265)
- Last updated: 2026-05-29
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

**Profile Applicability:** • Level 1

**Description:**  
 The noexec mount option prevents execution of binaries on the mounted filesystem. Applying this option to /var/log mitigates the risk of executing unauthorized or malicious binaries from the log directory.

**Rationale:** Setting the noexec option on /var/log reduces the risk that attackers can execute malicious code from this partition, strengthening system security.

**Impact:** Pros:

-   Helps prevent execution of unauthorized binaries or scripts in /var/log.  
    
-   Enhances overall security posture.  
    

Cons:

-   Some applications or services might require execution privileges in /var/log, which could be impacted.  
    

**Default Value:** The noexec option is typically not set on /var/log unless explicitly configured.

**Pre-requisites:**

-   Root or sudo privileges to modify /etc/fstab and remount filesystems.
    
-   /var/log must be mounted as a separate partition.
    

**Remediation:**

### **Test Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1.  Check current mount options for /var/log:  
    
     mount | grep /var/log
    
2.  Verify if noexec is included in /etc/fstab for /var/log:  
    
     grep /var/log /etc/fstab
    
    Expected output: Mount options for /var/log include noexec.
    

  

### **Implementation Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1.  Edit /etc/fstab to add noexec to /var/log mount options. Example:  
    
    /dev/<partition>  /var/log  ext4  defaults,nodev,nosuid,noexec  0  0
    
      
    
2.  Remount /var/log with new options:  
    
     mount -o remount,noexec /var/log
    
3.  Verify mount options:  
    
     mount | grep /var/log
    

---

### **Backout Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1.  Remove noexec from /var/log mount options in /etc/fstab.  
    
2.  Remount /var/log without noexec:  
    
     mount -o remount /var/log
    
3.  Verify mount options:  
    
     mount | grep /var/log
    

---

**References:**

-   CIS Amazon Linux 2 Benchmark v3.0.0  
    
-   [NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 - SC-7  
    ](https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-53/rev-5/final#sc-7)

## Related compliance guidance

- [SOC 2 compliance: a practical implementation guide for cloud-native SaaS teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/soc-2-trust-services-criteria): Configuration checks like this one are the technical half of a SOC 2 / ISO 27001 programme — the guide shows where they fit, what else an auditor expects, and how to evidence them.
- [ISO/IEC 27001:2022 compliance: a practical implementation guide](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/iso-27001-2022): ISO 27001 Annex A.8 (technological controls) is where cloud hardening evidence lands; the guide shows how to run the ISMS around it.