Creating Confined Users in SELinux

Libraries: If you want this lab, consider one of these libraries.
Cloud
Security

Creating Confined Users in SELinux

In this lab, we'll create an SELinux confined user by mapping an SELinux user to a Linux user. Confined users help us to impart restrictions on users to help protect our systems. *This course is not approved or sponsored by Red Hat.*

Get started Contact sales

Lab Info

Level

Intermediate

Last updated

Jul 23, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Map Linux users jhalpert and pbeesley to SELinux users
1. Map Linux user jhalpert to SELinux user user_u:
```
semanage login -a -s user_u jhalpert
```
1. Map Linux user pbeesly to SELinux user staff_u:
```
semanage login -a -s staff_u pbeesley  
```
1. Check the user mappings:
```
semanage login -l  
```
- We can see our Linux users successfully mapped to the assigned SELinux users.
Challenge

Ensure the SELinux user `xguest` can not mount media
1. Check SELinux booleans for "xguest":
```
getsebool -a | grep xguest
```
- We see "xguest_mount_media" is an option and it is enabled, so lets disable it.
1. Disable SELinux boolean "xguest_mount_media":
```
setsebool -P xguest_mount_media off
```
1. Check to make sure our changes were successful:
```
getsebool -a | grep xguest
```
- We can see our change was successful.
Challenge

Put SELinux into enforcing mode and ensure that setting is persistent
1. Check SELinux state:
```
getenforce
```
- It is in permissive mode, so we need to change it to enforcing mode.
1. Put SELinux into enforcing mode:
```
setenforce 1  
```
1. Check to make sure SELinux is now in enforcing mode:
```
getenforce
```
- We can see our change worked and SELinux is now in enforcing mode.
1. Ensure SELinux boots into enforcing mode:
```
vi /etc/selinux/config
```
```
SELINUX=enforcing
```

About the author

Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

Real skill practice before real-world application

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Learn by doing

Engage hands-on with the tools and technologies you’re learning. You pick the skill, we provide the credentials and environment.

Follow your guide

All labs have detailed instructions and objectives, guiding you through the learning process and ensuring you understand every step.

Turn time into mastery

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you take time to practice. Hands-on labs set you up for success to make those skills stick.