Active software modules must be minimized.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-26285	WA00500 A22	SV-33215r1_rule		Medium

Description
Modules are the source of Apache httpd servers core and dynamic capabilities. Thus not every module available is needed for operation. Most installations only need a small subset of the modules available. By minimizing the enabled modules to only those that are required, we reduce the number of doors and have therefore reduced the attack surface of the web site. Likewise having fewer modules means less software that could have vulnerabilities.

Description

Modules are the source of Apache httpd servers core and dynamic capabilities. Thus not every module available is needed for operation. Most installations only need a small subset of the modules available. By minimizing the enabled modules to only those that are required, we reduce the number of doors and have therefore reduced the attack surface of the web site. Likewise having fewer modules means less software that could have vulnerabilities.

STIG	Date
APACHE 2.2 Server for UNIX Security Technical Implementation Guide	2019-01-07

Details

Check Text ( C-33753r1_chk )
Enter the following command: /usr/local/Apache2.2/bin/httpd –M This will provide a list of the loaded modules. Validate that all displayed modules are required for operations. If any module is not required for operation, this is a finding. Note: The following modules are needed for basic web function and do not need to be reviewed: core_module http_module so_module mpm_prefork_module

Fix Text (F-29389r1_fix)
Disable any modules that are not needed.