Apache Server 2.4 UNIX Server STIG Version Comparison
Apache Server 2.4 UNIX Server Security Technical Implementation Guide
Comparison
There are 13 differences between versions v2 r2 (Jan. 22, 2021) (the "left" version) and v2 r4 (Jan. 26, 2023) (the "right" version).
Check AS24-U1-000870 was changed between these two versions. Green, underlined text was added, red, struck-out text was removed.
The regular view of the left check and right check may be easier to read.
Text Differences
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.
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" If "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.
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
Fix
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" Set 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".