Only web sites that have been fully reviewed and tested must exist on a production web server.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-2254	WG260 A22	SV-32830r1_rule	ECSC-1	Medium

Description
In the case of a production web server, areas for content development and testing will not exist, as this type of content is only permissible on a development web site. The process of developing on a functional production web site entails a degree of trial and error and repeated testing. This process is often accomplished in an environment where debugging, sequencing, and formatting of content are the main goals. The opportunity for a malicious user to obtain files that reveal business logic and login schemes is high in this situation. The existence of such immature content on a web server represents a significant security risk that is totally avoidable.

Description

In the case of a production web server, areas for content development and testing will not exist, as this type of content is only permissible on a development web site. The process of developing on a functional production web site entails a degree of trial and error and repeated testing. This process is often accomplished in an environment where debugging, sequencing, and formatting of content are the main goals. The opportunity for a malicious user to obtain files that reveal business logic and login schemes is high in this situation. The existence of such immature content on a web server represents a significant security risk that is totally avoidable.

STIG	Date
APACHE SITE 2.0 for Unix	2011-12-12

Details

Check Text ( C-33708r1_chk )
Query the IAO, the SA, and the web administrator to find out if development web sites are being housed on production web servers. Proposed Questions: Do you have development sites on your production web server? What is your process to get development web sites / content posted to the production server? Do you use under construction notices on production web pages? The reviewer can also do a manual check or perform a navigation of the web site via a browser could be used to confirm the information provided from interviewing the web staff. Graphics or texts which proclaim Under Construction or Under Development are frequently used to mark folders or directories in that status. If Under Construction or Under Development web content is discovered on the production web server, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-33708r1_chk )

Query the IAO, the SA, and the web administrator to find out if development web sites are being housed on production web servers.

Proposed Questions:
Do you have development sites on your production web server?
What is your process to get development web sites / content posted to the production server?
Do you use under construction notices on production web pages?

The reviewer can also do a manual check or perform a navigation of the web site via a browser could be used to confirm the information provided from interviewing the web staff. Graphics or texts which proclaim Under Construction or Under Development are frequently used to mark folders or directories in that status.

If Under Construction or Under Development web content is discovered on the production web server, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-29340r1_fix)
The presences of portions of the web site that proclaim Under Construction or Under Development are clear indications that a production web server is being used for development. The web administrator will ensure that all pages that are in development are not installed on a production web server.