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The SMTP service must not use .forward files.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-239539 VROM-SL-000600 SV-239539r662068_rule Medium
Description
The .forward file allows users to automatically forward mail to another system. Use of .forward files could allow the unauthorized forwarding of mail and could potentially create mail loops that could degrade system performance.
STIG Date
VMware vRealize Operations Manager 6.x SLES Security Technical Implementation Guide 2023-09-21

Details

Check Text ( C-42772r662066_chk )
Check forwarding from sendmail:

# grep "0 ForwardPath" /etc/sendmail.cf

If the entry contains a file path and is not commented out, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-42731r662067_fix)
Disable forwarding for sendmail and remove ".forward" files from the system:

Remove all ".forward" files on the system.

# find / -name .forward -delete

Use the following command to disable forwarding:

# sed -i "s/O ForwardPath/#O ForwardPath/" /etc/sendmail.cf

Restart the sendmail service:

# service sendmail restart