The Cassandra Server must use NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules for cryptographic operations.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-72663	VROM-CS-002055	SV-87295r1_rule		High

Description
Use of weak or not validated cryptographic algorithms undermines the purposes of utilizing encryption and digital signatures to protect data. Weak algorithms can be easily broken and not validated cryptographic modules may not implement algorithms correctly. Unapproved cryptographic modules or algorithms should not be relied on for authentication, confidentiality or integrity. Weak cryptography could allow an attacker to gain access to and modify data stored in the database as well as the administration settings of the DBMS. Applications, including DBMSs, utilizing cryptography are required to use approved NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules that meet the requirements of applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidance. The security functions validated as part of FIPS 140-2 for cryptographic modules are described in FIPS 140-2 Annex A. NSA Type-X (where X=1, 2, 3, 4) products are NSA-certified, hardware-based encryption modules.

Description

Use of weak or not validated cryptographic algorithms undermines the purposes of utilizing encryption and digital signatures to protect data. Weak algorithms can be easily broken and not validated cryptographic modules may not implement algorithms correctly. Unapproved cryptographic modules or algorithms should not be relied on for authentication, confidentiality or integrity. Weak cryptography could allow an attacker to gain access to and modify data stored in the database as well as the administration settings of the DBMS. Applications, including DBMSs, utilizing cryptography are required to use approved NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules that meet the requirements of applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidance. The security functions validated as part of FIPS 140-2 for cryptographic modules are described in FIPS 140-2 Annex A. NSA Type-X (where X=1, 2, 3, 4) products are NSA-certified, hardware-based encryption modules.

STIG	Date
vRealize - Cassandra Security Technical Implementation Guide	2017-06-06

Details

Check Text ( C-72819r1_chk )
Review the Cassandra Server configuration to ensure NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules are used for cryptographic operations. Review the Apache2 configuration by opening the /etc/apache2/ssl-global.conf file. Search for the line and ensure the SSLFIPS directive is below it. If the SSLFIPS directive is not under the line, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-79067r1_fix)
Configure the Cassandra Server to use NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules for cryptographic operations. To enable the FIPS mode of operation, complete the following steps: Replace the mod_ssl.so with the following command: cd /usr/lib64/apache2-prefork/ cp mod_ssl.so mod_ssl.so.old cp mod_ssl.so.FIPSON.openssl1.0.2 mod_ssl.so Modify your Apache2 configuration by editing the /etc/apache2/ssl-global.conf file. Search for the line and add the SSLFIPS on directive below it. Reset the Apache configuration with the service apache2 restart command.

Fix Text (F-79067r1_fix)

Configure the Cassandra Server to use NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules for cryptographic operations.

To enable the FIPS mode of operation, complete the following steps:

Replace the mod_ssl.so with the following command:
cd /usr/lib64/apache2-prefork/
cp mod_ssl.so mod_ssl.so.old
cp mod_ssl.so.FIPSON.openssl1.0.2 mod_ssl.so

Modify your Apache2 configuration by editing the /etc/apache2/ssl-global.conf file.

Search for the line and add the SSLFIPS on directive below it.

Reset the Apache configuration with the service apache2 restart command.