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The Ubuntu operating system must not be performing packet forwarding unless the system is a router.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-215153 UBTU-16-030600 SV-215153r610931_rule Medium
Description
Routing protocol daemons are typically used on routers to exchange network topology information with other routers. If this software is used when not required, system network information may be unnecessarily transmitted across the network.
STIG Date
Canonical Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Security Technical Implementation Guide 2020-12-09

Details

Check Text ( C-16352r285327_chk )
Verify the Ubuntu operating system is not performing packet forwarding, unless the system is a router.

Check to see if IP forwarding is enabled using the following command:

# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep net.ipv4.ip_forward
net.ipv4.ip_forward=0

If IP forwarding value is "1" and is not documented with the Information System Security Officer (ISSO) as an operational requirement , this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-16350r285328_fix)
Configure the Ubuntu operating system to not allow packet forwarding, unless the system is a router with the following command:

# sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=0

If "0" is not the system's default value then add or update the following line in "/etc/sysctl.conf" or in the appropriate file under "/etc/sysctl.d":

net.ipv4.ip_forward=0