Apache Server 2.4 UNIX Site STIG Version Comparison

There are 19 differences between versions v2 r2 (Jan. 27, 2022) (the "left" version) and v2 r4 (July 26, 2023) (the "right" version).

Check AS24-U2-000880 was removed from the benchmark in the "right" version. The text below reflects the old wording.

This check's original form is available here.

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". Review the "httpd.conf" file. If the "Session" and "SessionCookieName" directives are not present, this is a finding. If "Session" is not "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.

Fix

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" Set "Session" to "on". Ensure the "SessionCookieName" directive includes "httpOnly" and "secure".