Title

The Timeout directive must be properly set. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

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 operational requirement of a given system.

Check Content

Locate the Apache httpd.conf file. Open the httpd.conf file with an editor such as notepad, and search for the following uncommented directive: Timeout Every enabled Timeout directive value needs to be 300 or less. If any directive is set improperly, this is a finding. NOTE: This vulnerability can be documented locally with the ISSM/ISSO if the site has an operational reason for the use of an increased value. If the site has this documented, this should be marked as Not a Finding.

Fix Text

Modify the Timeout directive in the applicable Apache configuration files to have a value of 300 seconds or less.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-32980r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-13724

Group Title: WA000-WWA020

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.