Applying Critical Security Update for SSH Server Process

Fastest Way to Apply Patch for Zero-Day Vulnerability in SSH Server Process

Question

A critical new security update has been released to fix an identified zero-day vulnerability with the SSH server process.

Due to its severity, all development and staging servers must have this update applied immediately.

Which of the following is the FASTEST way for the administrator to apply the patch and ensure all systems are configured consistently?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

D.

Option D is the FASTEST way for the administrator to apply the patch and ensure all systems are configured consistently. Here's why:

Option A is not a practical solution as it involves shutting down all the servers and deploying new ones with the latest patch applied. This approach will take a significant amount of time and may cause downtime for critical services. Moreover, it is not cost-effective to replace all servers with new ones just to apply a security patch.

Option B involves logging in to each server and deploying the patch, which is a time-consuming and error-prone process. It is difficult to ensure consistency across all servers, and it may be challenging to keep track of which servers have been patched and which ones still need to be patched.

Option C involves cloning the existing servers and updating each clone with the latest patch. However, this approach may not be feasible if there are a large number of servers, as it can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Additionally, shutting down the original system may not be a viable option, especially if it is hosting critical services.

Option D is the most efficient approach, as it involves updating the configuration management scripts to include the latest patch and executing them against a master inventory of servers. Configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef can be used to automate the patching process across all servers. This approach ensures consistency across all servers and saves time and effort compared to manual patching. Moreover, it is easy to track which servers have been patched and which ones still need to be patched.