# Ensure SELinux is Enabled in Bootloader Configuration

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000235133-ensure-selinux-is-enabled-in-bootloader-configuration
- 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:**  
 SELinux can be disabled at boot time through bootloader parameters. Ensuring SELinux is not disabled in the bootloader configuration guarantees that SELinux policies are enforced from system startup.

**Rationale:** Preventing SELinux from being disabled at boot protects the system by maintaining mandatory access controls, which reduce the risk of unauthorized access and privilege escalation.

**Impact:** Pros:

-   Maintains enforced SELinux security policies during boot.  
    
-   Prevents accidental or intentional disabling of SELinux.  
    

Cons:

-   If SELinux is misconfigured, system boot or application functionality might be impacted.  
    

**Default Value:** By default, SELinux is enabled unless bootloader parameters explicitly disable it.

**Pre-requisites:**

-   Root or sudo privileges to inspect and modify bootloader configuration.  
    

**Remediation:**

### **Test Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1.  Check bootloader configuration files for SELinux disable parameters:  
    

GRUB config:  

grep -i 'selinux=0' /etc/default/grub /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

2.  Verify that selinux=0 or enforcing=0 is not set.
    

### **Implementation Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1.  Edit /etc/default/grub or relevant bootloader config file to remove SELinux disable parameters.
    

2.  Regenerate GRUB configuration:  
    
    grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
    
3.  Reboot the system to apply changes.  
    

4.  Confirm SELinux is enabled:  
    
    sestatus
    

### **Backout Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1.  Restore previous bootloader configuration if necessary.  
    
2.  Regenerate GRUB config and reboot.  
    
3.  Test system functionality and SELinux status.  
    

**References:**

-   CIS Amazon Linux 2 Benchmark v3.0.0  
    
-   GRUB 2 Manual - Kernel Parameters  
    
-   SELinux Project Documentation

## 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.