Title

Cookies exchanged between the Apache web server and the client, such as session cookies, must have cookie properties set to prohibit client-side scripts from reading the cookie data. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

A cookie can be read by client-side scripts easily if cookie properties are not set properly. By allowing cookies to be read by the client-side scripts, information such as session identifiers could be compromised and used by an attacker who intercepts the cookie. Setting cookie properties (i.e., HttpOnly property) to disallow client-side scripts from reading cookies better protects the information inside the cookie. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000439-WSR-000154, SRG-APP-000439-WSR-000155

Check Content

In a command line, run "httpd -M | grep -i session_cookie_module". Determine the location of the "HTTPD_ROOT" directory and the "httpd.conf" file: # httpd -V | egrep -i 'httpd_root|server_config_file' -D HTTPD_ROOT="/etc/httpd" -D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="conf/httpd.conf" Search for the directive "Session" in the "httpd.conf" file: # cat /<path_to_file>/httpd.conf | grep -i "Session" NOTE: SSL directives may also be located in /etc/httpd/conf.d/ssl.conf. If the "Session" and "SessionCookieName" directives are not present, this is a finding. If "Session" is not set to "on" and "SessionCookieName" does not contain "httpOnly" and "secure", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Determine the location of the "HTTPD_ROOT" directory and the "httpd.conf" file: # httpd -V | egrep -i 'httpd_root|server_config_file' -D HTTPD_ROOT="/etc/httpd" -D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="conf/httpd.conf" NOTE: SSL directives may also be located in /etc/httpd/conf.d/ssl.conf. Set "Session" to "on". Ensure the "SessionCookieName" directive includes "httpOnly" and "secure".

Expert Comments

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