Check: AS24-U2-000650
Apache Server 2.4 UNIX Site STIG:
AS24-U2-000650
(in versions v2 r4 through v2 r3)
Title
The Apache web server must set an absolute timeout for sessions. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
Leaving sessions open indefinitely is a major security risk. An attacker can easily use an already authenticated session to access the hosted application as the previously authenticated user. By closing sessions after an absolute period of time, the user is forced to reauthenticate, guaranteeing the session is still in use. Enabling an absolute timeout for sessions closes sessions that are still active. Examples would be a runaway process accessing the Apache web server or an attacker using a hijacked session to slowly probe the Apache web server.
Check Content
Determine the location of the "HTTPD_ROOT" directory and the "httpd.conf" file: # apachectl -V | egrep -i 'httpd_root|server_config_file' -D HTTPD_ROOT="/etc/httpd" -D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="conf/httpd.conf" Note: The apachectl front end is the preferred method for locating the Apache httpd file. For some Linux distributions "apache2ctl -V" or "httpd -V" can also be used. Verify the "SessionMaxAge" directive exists and is set to "600". If the "SessionMaxAge" directive does not exist or is commented out, this is a finding. If the "SessionMaxAge" directive exists but is not set to "600", this is a finding.
Fix Text
Determine the location of the "HTTPD_ROOT" directory and the "httpd.conf" file: # apachectl -V | egrep -i 'httpd_root|server_config_file' -D HTTPD_ROOT="/etc/httpd" -D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="conf/httpd.conf" Add or set the "SessionMaxAge" directive to "600".
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-214295r881507_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-214295
Group Title: SRG-APP-000295-WSR-000012
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-002391 |
The organization monitors organization-defined information system resources to determine if sufficient resources exist to prevent effective denial of service attacks. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
SC-5 (3) |
Detection / Monitoring |