Title

The application server management interface must display an explicit logout message to users indicating the reliable termination of authenticated communications sessions. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Providing a logout capability to the user allows the user to explicitly close a session and free those resources used during the session. If a user cannot explicitly end an application session, the session may remain open and be exploited by an attacker; this is referred to as a zombie session. The attacker will then have access to the application server management functions without going through the user authentication process. To inform the user that the session has been reliably closed, a logout message must be displayed to the user.

Check Content

Review application server documentation and configuration settings to determine if the application server management interface displays a logout message. If the application server management interface does not display a logout message, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the application server management interface to display an explicit logout message to users.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-204779r879675_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-204779

Group Title: SRG-APP-000297

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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