Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux) is a security enhancement to Linux that provides a mechanism for enforcing the security of the system. Under SELinux, programs are run inside a sandbox and follow the principle of least privilege, in which programs are limited to set of necessary operations.
SELinux is an implementation of mandatory access controls (MAC) on Linux. Mandatory access controls allow an administrator of a system to define how applications and users can access different resources such as files, devices, networks and inter-process communication.
With SELinux an administrator can differentiate a user from the applications a user runs.
Features include:
- Uses multiple security models.
- Clean separation of policy from enforcement.
- Type enforcement to enforce mandatory access control.
- Well-defined policy interfaces.
- Support for applications querying the policy and enforcing access control (for example, crond running jobs in the correct context).
- Support for on-the-fly sandboxing of applications, including X applications.
- Independent of specific policies and policy languages.
- Independent of specific security label formats and contents.
- Individual labels and controls for kernel objects and services.
- Caching of access decisions for efficiency.
- Support for policy changes.
- Support for MLS/MCS translations.
- Separate measures for protecting system integrity (domain-type) and data confidentiality (multilevel security).
- Very flexible policy.
- Label substitution.
- Virtual machine labeling.
- Per-service seuser support.
- Persistent dontaudit flag.
- Controls over process initialization and inheritance and program execution.
- Controls over file systems, directories, files, and open file descriptors.
- Controls over sockets, messages, and network interfaces.
- Controls over use of “capabilities”.
Website: github.com/SELinuxProject/selinux
Support:
Developer: Initial developer:United States National Security Agency; many other contributors
License: GNU General Public License
SELinux is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
 | The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. |
 | Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. |
 | The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. |
 | Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. |
 | Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. |
 | Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. |
 | New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. |
 | Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. |
 | Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. |
 | Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. |
 | Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. |
 | Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. |
 | Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. |
 | Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. |
 | Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. |
 | Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. |
 | Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. |
 | Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. |
 | These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! |
 | These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. |
 | Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. |
 | Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |