How to Disable the SELinux on CentOS 6.2

SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux) is a Linux kernel security module that provides a mechanism for supporting access control security policies. However, in certain situations, you might need to disable it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to disable SELinux on CentOS 6.2.

Please note that disabling SELinux can have security implications and should only be done if necessary and with a full understanding of the risks.

Step 1: Check the Current SELinux Status

Before making any changes, check the current status of SELinux. To do this, run the following command:

sestatus

The output will show the current SELinux status, policy, and mode.

Step 2: Temporarily Disable SELinux

If you need to disable SELinux temporarily, you can set the mode to “Permissive” without rebooting the system. In this mode, SELinux will not enforce security policies but will log any actions that would have been denied.

See also  How To Check SELinux Status on CentOS 5.8

To temporarily disable SELinux, run the following command:

sudo setenforce 0

You can check the status again with the sestatus command to ensure the mode is now “Permissive.”

Remember that this change is temporary, and SELinux will be re-enabled upon reboot.

Step 3: Permanently Disable SELinux

To permanently disable SELinux, you’ll need to edit the SELinux configuration file.

Open the SELinux configuration file with your preferred text editor:

sudo nano /etc/selinux/config
# This file controls the state of SELinux on the system.
# SELINUX= can take one of these three values:
#     enforcing - SELinux security policy is enforced.
#     permissive - SELinux prints warnings instead of enforcing.
#     disabled - No SELinux policy is loaded.
SELINUX=enforcing
# SELINUXTYPE= can take one of these two values:
#     targeted - Targeted processes are protected,
#     mls - Multi Level Security protection.
SELINUXTYPE=targeted

Locate the line that begins with SELINUX= and change the value to “disabled”:

SELINUX=disabled

Save the file and exit the text editor.

# This file controls the state of SELinux on the system.
# SELINUX= can take one of these three values:
#     enforcing - SELinux security policy is enforced.
#     permissive - SELinux prints warnings instead of enforcing.
#     disabled - No SELinux policy is loaded.
SELINUX=disabled
# SELINUXTYPE= can take one of these two values:
#     targeted - Targeted processes are protected,
#     mls - Multi Level Security protection.
SELINUXTYPE=targeted

Reboot your system for the changes to take effect:

sudo reboot

After rebooting, you can run the sestatus command again to confirm that SELinux is now disabled.

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Commands Mentioned:

  • sestatus – Displays the current SELinux status, policy, and mode.
  • setenforce 0 – Temporarily sets SELinux mode to “Permissive.”
  • nano /etc/selinux/config – Opens the SELinux configuration file for editing.
  • reboot – Reboots the system to apply the configuration changes.

By following these steps, you can disable SELinux on CentOS 6.2. However, it is essential to understand that disabling SELinux can expose your system to potential security threats. Only disable it when necessary and consider other ways to address issues before resorting to disabling SELinux.

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