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AWS systems-manager documentation change

Service: systems-manager · 2025-04-23 · Documentation low

File: systems-manager/latest/userguide/patch-manager-installing-patches.md

Summary

Restructured documentation about patch application rules for RHEL-based systems, adding detailed scenarios for security/non-security updates and repo availability considerations

Security assessment

Clarifies security update handling mechanics but doesn't address a specific vulnerability. Enhances documentation about security update filtering in patch baselines.

Diff

diff --git a/systems-manager/latest/userguide/patch-manager-installing-patches.md b/systems-manager/latest/userguide/patch-manager-installing-patches.md
index 6dea5c218..825173c7f 100644
--- a//systems-manager/latest/userguide/patch-manager-installing-patches.md
+++ b//systems-manager/latest/userguide/patch-manager-installing-patches.md
@@ -278 +278 @@ If nonsecurity updates are included, patches from other repositories are conside
-  7. The YUM update API (on RHEL 7) or the DNF update API (on AlmaLinux 8 and 9, RHEL 8 and 9, and Rocky Linux 8 and 9) is applied to approved patches as follows:
+  7. The YUM update API (on RHEL 7) or the DNF update API (on AlmaLinux 8 and 9, RHEL 8 and 9, and Rocky Linux 8 and 9) is applied to approved patches according to the following rules:
@@ -280 +280,9 @@ If nonsecurity updates are included, patches from other repositories are conside
-     * For predefined default patch baselines provided by AWS, and for custom patch baselines where the **Include non-security updates** check box is _not_ selected, only patches specified in `updateinfo.xml` are applied (security updates only).
+###### Scenario 1: Non-security updates excluded
+
+     * **Applies to** : Predefined default patch baselines provided by AWS and custom patch baselines.
+
+     * **Include non-security updates** check box: _Not_ selected.
+
+     * **Patches applied** : Patches specified in `updateinfo.xml` (security updates only) are applied _only_ if they both match the patch baseline configuration and are found in the configured repos.
+
+In some cases, a patch specified in `updateinfo.xml` might no longer be available in a configured repo. Configured repos usually have only the latest version of a patch, which is a cumulative roll-up of all prior updates, but the latest version might not match the patch baseline rules and is omitted from the patching operation.
@@ -282 +290 @@ If nonsecurity updates are included, patches from other repositories are conside
-For RHEL 7, the equivalent yum command for this workflow is:
+     * **Commands** : For RHEL 7, the equivalent yum command for this workflow is: 
@@ -291 +299,7 @@ For AlmaLinux, RHEL 8, and Rocky Linux , the equivalent dnf commands for this wo
-     * For custom patch baselines where the **Include non-security updates** check box _is_ selected, both patches in `updateinfo.xml` and those not in `updateinfo.xml` are applied (security and nonsecurity updates).
+###### Scenario 2: Non-security updates included
+
+     * **Apples to** : Custom patch baselines.
+
+     * **Include non-security updates** check box: Selected.
+
+     * **Patches applied** : Patches in `updateinfo.xml` _and_ those not in `updateinfo.xml` are applied (security and nonsecurity updates).
@@ -293 +307 @@ For AlmaLinux, RHEL 8, and Rocky Linux , the equivalent dnf commands for this wo
-For RHEL 7, the equivalent yum command for this workflow is:
+     * **Commands** : For RHEL 7, the equivalent yum command for this workflow is: