# Ensure Samba File Server Services Are Disabled and Not Running

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000235161-ensure-samba-file-server-services-are-disabled-and-not-running
- 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:** Samba provides file and print services to SMB/CIFS clients. If the system is not intended to act as a Samba file server, disabling these services reduces unnecessary network exposure and mitigates potential security risks.

**Rationale:** Disabling unused Samba services minimizes the system’s attack surface and prevents unauthorized access via SMB protocols.

**Impact:** Pros:

-   Reduces potential attack vectors related to file sharing services.  
    
-   Limits unnecessary services running on the system.  
    

Cons:

-   Disabling Samba on systems that require it will disrupt file sharing capabilities.  
    

**Default Value:** Samba services may be enabled or running by default on some systems.

**Pre-requisites:**

-   Root or sudo privileges to manage system services.  
    

**Remediation:**

### **Test Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1\. Check if Samba service is enabled:  

systemctl is-enabled smb  
systemctl is-enabled nmb

2\. Check if Samba service is running:  

systemctl status smb  
systemctl status nmb

### **Implementation Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1\. Disable Samba services:  

systemctl disable smb  
systemctl disable nmb

2\. Stop running Samba services:  

systemctl stop smb  
systemctl stop nmb

3\. Verify services are disabled and stopped:  

systemctl is-enabled smb  
systemctl is-enabled nmb  
systemctl status smb  
systemctl status nmb

### **Backout Plan:**

**Using Linux command line:**

1\. Enable and start Samba services if required:  

systemctl enable smb  
systemctl start smb  
systemctl enable nmb  
systemctl start nmb

2\. Verify service status.  

**References:**

-   CIS Amazon Linux 2 Benchmark v3.0.0  
    
-   Systemd Service Management

## 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.