The "–FollowSymLinks” setting must be disabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-13732	WA000-WWA052 A22	SV-40129r1_rule		Medium

Description
The Options directive configures the web server features that are available in particular directories. The FollowSymLinks option controls the ability of the server to follow symbolic links. A symbolic link allows a file or a directory to be referenced using a symbolic name raising a potential hazard if symbolic linkage is made to a sensitive area. When web scripts are executed and symbolic links are allowed, the web user could be allowed to access locations on the web server that are outside the scope of the web document root or home directory.

Description

The Options directive configures the web server features that are available in particular directories. The FollowSymLinks option controls the ability of the server to follow symbolic links. A symbolic link allows a file or a directory to be referenced using a symbolic name raising a potential hazard if symbolic linkage is made to a sensitive area. When web scripts are executed and symbolic links are allowed, the web user could be allowed to access locations on the web server that are outside the scope of the web document root or home directory.

STIG	Date
APACHE 2.2 Server for UNIX Security Technical Implementation Guide	2018-07-06

Details

Check Text ( C-39081r1_chk )
To view the Options value enter the following command: grep "Options" /usr/local/apache2/conf/httpd.conf. Review all uncommented Options statements for the following value: -FollowSymLinks If the value is found with an Options statement, and it does not have a preceding ‘-‘, this is a finding. Notes: - If the value does NOT exist, this is a finding. - If all enabled Options statement are set to None this is not a finding.

Check Text ( C-39081r1_chk )

To view the Options value enter the following command:

grep "Options" /usr/local/apache2/conf/httpd.conf.

Review all uncommented Options statements for the following value: -FollowSymLinks

If the value is found with an Options statement, and it does not have a preceding ‘-‘, this is a finding.

Notes:
- If the value does NOT exist, this is a finding.
- If all enabled Options statement are set to None this is not a finding.

Fix Text (F-34186r1_fix)
Edit the httpd.conf file and set the value of "FollowSymLinks" to "-FollowSymLinks".