| Finding ID |
Severity |
Title |
Description |
|
V-13733
|
High |
Server side includes (SSIs) must run with execution capability disabled. |
The Options directive configures the web server features that are available in particular directories. The IncludesNOEXEC feature controls the ability of the server to utilize SSIs while disabling the exec command, which is used to execute external scripts. If the full includes feature is used it could allow the execution... |
|
V-13621
|
High |
All web server documentation, sample code, example applications, and tutorials must be removed from a production web server. |
Web server documentation, sample code, example applications, and tutorials may be an exploitable threat to a web server. A production web server may only contain components that are operationally necessary (e.g., compiled code, scripts, web-content, etc.). Delete all directories that contain samples and any scripts used to execute the samples.... |
|
V-13591
|
High |
Classified web servers will be afforded physical security commensurate with the classification of its content. |
When data of a classified nature is migrated to a web server, fundamental principles applicable to the safeguarding of classified material must be followed. A classified web server needs to be afforded physical security commensurate with the classification of its content to ensure the protection of the data it houses. |
|
V-2247
|
High |
Administrators must be the only users allowed access to the directory tree, the shell, or other operating system functions and utilities. |
As a rule, accounts on a web server are to be kept to a minimum. Only administrators, web managers, developers, auditors, and web authors require accounts on the machine hosting the web server. This is in addition to the anonymous web user account. The resources to which these accounts have... |
|
V-2246
|
High |
The web server must use a vendor-supported version of the web server software. |
Many vulnerabilities are associated with old versions of web server software. As hot fixes and patches are issued, these solutions are included in the next version of the server software. Maintaining the web server at a current version makes the efforts of a malicious user to exploit the web service... |
|
V-60709
|
Medium |
The web server must remove all export ciphers from the cipher suite. |
During the initial setup of a Transport Layer Security (TLS) connection to the web server, the client sends a list of supported cipher suites in order of preference. The web server will reply with the cipher suite it will use for communication from the client list. If an attacker can... |
|
V-26396
|
Medium |
HTTP request methods must be limited. |
The HTTP 1.1 protocol supports several request methods which are rarely used and potentially high risk. For example, methods such as PUT and DELETE are rarely used and should be disabled in keeping with the primary security principal of minimize features and options. Also since the usage of these methods... |
|
V-26393
|
Medium |
The ability to override the access configuration for the OS root directory must be disabled. |
The Apache OverRide directive allows for .htaccess files to be used to override much of the configuration, including authentication, handling of document types, auto generated indexes, access control, and options. When the server finds an .htaccess file (as specified by AccessFileName) it needs to know which directives declared in that... |
|
V-26368
|
Medium |
Automatic directory indexing must be disabled. |
To identify the type of web servers and versions software installed it is common for attackers to scan for icons or special content specific to the server type and version. A simple request like http://example.com/icons/apache_pb2.png may tell the attacker that the server is Apache 2.2 as shown below. The many... |
|
V-26327
|
Medium |
The URL-path name must be set to the file path name or the directory path name. |
The ScriptAlias directive controls which directories the Apache server "sees" as containing scripts. If the directive uses a URL-path name that is different than the actual file system path, the potential exists to expose the script source code. |
|
V-26326
|
Medium |
The web server must be configured to listen on a specific IP address and port. |
The Apache Listen directive specifies the IP addresses and port numbers the Apache web server will listen for requests. Rather than be unrestricted to listen on all IP addresses available to the system, the specific IP address or addresses intended must be explicitly specified. Specifically a Listen directive with no... |
|
V-26325
|
Medium |
The TRACE method must be disabled. |
Use the Apache TraceEnable directive to disable the HTTP TRACE request method. Refer to the Apache documentation for more details http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/core.html#traceenable. The HTTP 1.1 protocol requires support for the TRACE request method which reflects the request back as a response and was intended for diagnostics purposes. The TRACE method is... |
|
V-26324
|
Medium |
Web server options for the OS root must be disabled. |
The Apache Options directive allows for specific configuration of options, including execution of CGI, following symbolic links, server side includes, and content negotiation. The Options directive for the root OS level is used to create a default minimal options policy that allows only the minimal options at the root directory... |
|
V-26323
|
Medium |
The web server must be configured to explicitly deny access to the OS root. |
The Apache Directory directive allows for directory specific configuration of access controls and many other features and options. One important usage is to create a default deny policy that does not allow access to Operating System directories and files, except for those specifically allowed. This is done, with denying access... |
|
V-26322
|
Medium |
The ScoreBoard file must be properly secured. |
The ScoreBoardFile directive sets a file path which the server will use for Inter-Process Communication (IPC) among the Apache processes. If the directive is specified, then Apache will use the configured file for the inter-process communication. Therefore if it is specified it needs to be located in a secure directory.... |
|
V-26305
|
Medium |
The process ID (PID) file must be properly secured. |
The PidFile directive sets the path to the process ID file to which the server records the process ID of the server, which is useful for sending a signal to the server process or for checking on the health of the process. If the PidFile is placed in a writable... |
|
V-26302
|
Medium |
User specific directories must not be globally enabled. |
The UserDir directive must be disabled so that user home directories are not accessed via the web site with a tilde (~) preceding the username. The directive also sets the path name of the directory that will be accessed. The user directories should not be globally enabled since it allows... |
|
V-26299
|
Medium |
The web server must not be configured as a proxy server. |
The Apache proxy modules allow the server to act as a proxy (either forward or reverse proxy) of http and other protocols with additional proxy modules loaded. If the Apache installation is not intended to proxy requests to or from another network then the proxy module should not be loaded.... |
|
V-26294
|
Medium |
Web server status module must be disabled. |
The Apache mod_info module provides information on the server configuration via access to a /server-info URL location, while the mod_status module provides current server performance statistics. While having server configuration and status information available as a web page may be convenient, it is recommended that these modules not be enabled:... |
|
V-26287
|
Medium |
Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) must be disabled. |
The Apache mod_dav and mod_dav_fs modules support WebDAV ('Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning') functionality for Apache. WebDAV is an extension to the HTTP protocol which allows clients to create, move, and delete files and resources on the web server. WebDAV is not widely used, and has serious security concerns as... |
|
V-26285
|
Medium |
Active software modules must be minimized. |
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... |
|
V-13739
|
Medium |
The HTTP request line must be limited. |
Buffer overflow attacks are carried out by a malicious attacker sending amounts of data that the web server cannot store in a given size buffer. The eventual overflow of this buffer can overwrite system memory. Subsequently an attacker may be able to elevate privileges and take control of the server.... |
|
V-13738
|
Medium |
The HTTP request header field size must be limited. |
Buffer overflow attacks are carried out by a malicious attacker sending amounts of data that the web server cannot store in a given size buffer. The eventual overflow of this buffer can overwrite system memory. Subsequently an attacker may be able to elevate privileges and take control of the server.... |
|
V-13737
|
Medium |
The HTTP request header fields must be limited. |
Buffer overflow attacks are carried out by a malicious attacker sending amounts of data that the web server cannot store in a given size buffer. The eventual overflow of this buffer can overwrite system memory. Subsequently an attacker may be able to elevate privileges and take control of the server.... |
|
V-13736
|
Medium |
The HTTP request message body size must be limited. |
Buffer overflow attacks are carried out by a malicious attacker sending amounts of data that the web server cannot store in a given size buffer. The eventual overflow of this buffer can overwrite system memory. Subsequently an attacker may be able to elevate privileges and take control of the server.... |
|
V-13735
|
Medium |
Directory indexing must be disabled on directories not containing index files. |
Directory options directives are directives that can be applied to further restrict access to file and directories.
If a URL which maps to a directory is requested, and there is no DirectoryIndex (e.g., index.html) in that directory, then mod_autoindex will return a formatted listing of the directory.
The Indexes option... |
|
V-13734
|
Medium |
The MultiViews directive must be disabled. |
|
|
V-13732
|
Medium |
The FollowSymLinks setting must be disabled. |
The Options directive configures the web server features that are available in particular directories. The FollowSymLinks option controls the ability of the server to follow symbolic links. A symbolic link allows a file or a directory to be referenced using a symbolic name raising a potential hazard if symbolic linkage... |
|
V-13731
|
Medium |
All interactive programs must be placed in a designated directory with appropriate permissions. |
CGI scripts are one of the most exploited vulnerabilities on web servers. CGI script execution in Apache can be accomplished via two methods. The first method uses the ScriptAlias directive to tell the server everything in that directory is a CGI script. The second method uses a combination of the... |
|
V-13726
|
Medium |
The KeepAliveTimeout directive must be defined. |
The number of seconds Apache will wait for a subsequent request before closing the connection. Once a request has been received, the timeout value specified by the Timeout directive applies. Setting KeepAliveTimeout to a high value may cause performance problems in heavily loaded servers. The higher the timeout, the more... |
|
V-13725
|
Medium |
The KeepAlive directive must be enabled. |
The KeepAlive extension to HTTP/1.0 and the persistent connection feature of HTTP/1.1 provide long lived HTTP sessions which allow multiple requests to be sent over the same connection. These requirements are set to mitigate the effects of several types of denial of service attacks. Although there is some latitude concerning... |
|
V-13724
|
Medium |
The Timeout directive must be properly set. |
These Timeout requirements are set to mitigate the effects of several types of denial of service attacks. Although there is some latitude concerning the settings themselves, the requirements attempt to provide reasonable limits for the protection of the web server. If necessary, these limits can be adjusted to accommodate the... |
|
V-13687
|
Medium |
Remote authors or content providers must have all files scanned for malware before uploading files to the Document Root directory. |
Remote web authors should not be able to upload files to the DocumentRoot directory structure without virus checking and checking for malicious or mobile code. A remote web user whose agency has a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the hosting agency and has submitted a DoD form 2875 (System Authorization... |
|
V-13672
|
Medium |
The private web server must use an approved DoD certificate validation process. |
Without the use of a certificate validation process, the site is vulnerable to accepting certificates that have expired or have been revoked. This would allow unauthorized individuals access to the web server. This also defeats the purpose of the multi-factor authentication provided by the PKI process. |
|
V-13620
|
Medium |
A private web server’s list of CAs in a trust hierarchy must lead to an authorized DoD PKI Root CA. |
A PKI certificate is a digital identifier that establishes the identity of an individual or a platform. A server that has a certificate provides users with third-party confirmation of authenticity. Most web browsers perform server authentication automatically; the user is notified only if the authentication fails. The authentication process between... |
|
V-13619
|
Medium |
The web server, although started by superuser or privileged account, must run using a non-privileged account. |
Running the web server with excessive privileges presents an increased risk to the web server. In the event the web server’s services are compromised, the context by which the web server is running will determine the amount of damage that may be caused by the attacker. If the web server... |
|
V-13613
|
Medium |
The site software used with the web server must have all applicable security patches applied and documented. |
The IAVM process does not address all patches that have been identified for the host operating system or, in this case, the web server software environment. Many vendors have subscription services available to notify users of known security threats. The site needs to be aware of these fixes and make... |
|
V-6577
|
Medium |
A web server installation must be segregated from other services. |
The web server installation and configuration plan should not support the co-hosting of multiple services such as Domain Name Service (DNS), e-mail, databases, search engines, indexing, or streaming media on the same server that is providing the web publishing service. By separating these services additional defensive layers are established between... |
|
V-2271
|
Medium |
Monitoring software must include CGI or equivalent programs in its scope. |
By their very nature, CGI type files permit the anonymous web user to interact with data and perhaps store data on the web server. In many cases, CGI scripts exercise system-level control over the server’s resources. These files make appealing targets for the malicious user. If these files can be... |
|
V-2264
|
Medium |
Wscript.exe and Cscript.exe must only be accessible by the SA and/or the web administrator. |
Windows Scripting Host (WSH) is installed under either a Typical or Custom installation option of a Microsoft Network Server. This technology permits the execution of powerful script files from the Windows NT command line. This technology is also classified as a Category I Mobile Code. If the access to these... |
|
V-2261
|
Medium |
A public web server must limit e-mail to outbound only. |
Incoming E-mail has been known to provide hackers with access to servers. Disabling the incoming mail service prevents this type of attacks. Additionally, Email represents the main use of the Internet. It is specialized application that requires the dedication of server resources. To combine this type of transaction processing function... |
|
V-2259
|
Medium |
Web server system files must conform to minimum file permission requirements. |
This check verifies that the key web server system configuration files are owned by the SA or Web Manager controlled account. These same files which control the configuration of the web server, and thus its behavior, must also be accessible by the account which runs the web service. If these... |
|
V-2256
|
Medium |
The access control files are owned by a privileged web server account. |
This check verifies that the key web server system configuration files are owned by the SA or Web Manager controlled account. These same files which control the configuration of the web server, and thus its behavior, must also be accessible by the account which runs the web service. If these... |
|
V-2255
|
Medium |
The web server’s htpasswd files (if present) must reflect proper ownership and permissions. |
In addition to OS restrictions, access rights to files and directories can be set on a web site using the web server software. That is, in addition to allowing or denying all access rights, a rule can be specified that allows or denies partial access rights. For example, users can... |
|
V-2248
|
Medium |
Web administration tools must be restricted to the web manager and the web manager’s designees. |
All automated information systems are at risk of data loss due to disaster or compromise. Failure to provide adequate protection to the administration tools creates risk of potential theft or damage that may ultimately compromise the mission. Adequate protection ensures that server administration operates with less risk of losses or... |
|
V-2243
|
Medium |
A private web server must be located on a separate controlled access subnet. |
Private web servers, which host sites that serve controlled access data, must be protected from outside threats in addition to insider threats. Insider threat may be accidental or intentional but, in either case, can cause a disruption in service of the web server. To protect the private web server from... |
|
V-2242
|
Medium |
A public web server, if hosted on the NIPRNet, must be isolated in an accredited DoD DMZ Extension. |
To minimize exposure of private assets to unnecessary risk by attackers, public web servers must be isolated from internal systems. Public web servers are by nature more vulnerable to attack from publically based sources, such as the public Internet. Once compromised, a public web server might be used as a... |
|
V-2236
|
Medium |
Installation of a compiler on production web server must be prohibited. |
The presence of a compiler on a production server facilitates the malicious user’s task of creating custom versions of programs and installing Trojan Horses or viruses. For example, the attacker’s code can be uploaded and compiled on the server under attack. |
|
V-2235
|
Medium |
The service account used to run the web service must have its password changed at least annually.
|
Normally, a service account is established for the web service to run under rather than permitting it to run as part of the local system. The password on such accounts must be changed at least annually. If the password is not changed periodically, the potential for a malicious party to... |
|
V-2234
|
Medium |
Public web server resources must not be shared with private assets. |
It is important to segregate public web server resources from private resources located behind the DoD DMZ in order to protect private assets. When folders, drives or other resources are directly shared between the public web server and private servers the intent of data and resource segregation can be compromised. |
|
V-2232
|
Medium |
The web server service password(s) must be entrusted to the SA or Web Manager. |
Normally, a service account is established for the web server. This is because a privileged account is not desirable and the server is designed to run for long uninterrupted periods of time. The SA or Web Manager will need password access to the web server to restart the service in... |
|
V-6724
|
Low |
Web server and/or operating system information must be protected. |
The web server response header of an HTTP response can contain several fields of information including the requested HTML page. The information included in this response can be web server type and version, operating system and version, and ports associated with the web server. This provides the malicious user valuable... |
|
V-6485
|
Low |
Web server content and configuration files must be part of a routine backup program. |
Backing up web server data and web server application software after upgrades or maintenance ensures that recovery can be accomplished up to the current version. It also provides a means to determine and recover from subsequent unauthorized changes to the software and data.
A tested and verifiable backup strategy will... |
|
V-2257
|
Low |
Administrative users and groups that have access rights to the web server must be documented. |
There are typically several individuals and groups that are involved in running a production web site. In most cases, we can identify several types of users on a web server. These are the System Administrators (SAs), Web Managers, Auditors, Authors, Developers, and the Clients. Accounts will be restricted to those... |
|
V-2251
|
Low |
All utility programs, not necessary for operations, must be removed or disabled. |
Just as running unneeded services and protocols is a danger to the web server at the lower levels of the OSI model, running unneeded utilities and programs is also a danger at the application layer of the OSI model. Office suites, development tools, and graphical editors are examples of such... |
|
V-2230
|
Low |
Backup interactive scripts on the production web server must be prohibited. |
Copies of backup files will not execute on the server, but can be read by the anonymous user if special precautions are not taken. Such backup copies contain the same sensitive information as the actual script being executed and as such are useful to malicious users. Techniques and systems exist... |
