Title

Programs and features not necessary for operations must be removed. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

Just as running unneeded services and protocols increase the attack surface of the web server, running unneeded utilities and programs is also an added risk to the web server.

Check Content

Query the Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO), SA, Web Manager, Webmaster, and/or developers to determine if the web server is configured with unnecessary software. Query the SA to determine if processes other than those supporting the web server are loaded and/or run on the web server. Examples of software that should not be on the web server are all web development tools, office suites, (unless the web server is a private web development server) compilers, and utilities that are not part of the web server suite or the basic operating system. 1. Check the directory structure of the server and ensure additional, unintended or unneeded applications are not loaded on the system. 2. Select Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs 3. Check for programs services such as: Front Page (as evident by directories which begin _vti ) MS Access MS Excel MS Money MS Word Third party text editors Graphics editors If, after review of the application on the system, the SA cannot provide justification for the requirement of the identified software, this is a finding. NOTE: If the site requires the use of a particular piece of software, the ISSO will need to maintain documentation identifying this software as necessary for operations and the software will be maintained to meet any and all released security patches. In addition, if the software is unsupported, it is not acceptable for use. If this is the case, this should be marked as not a finding.

Fix Text

Install only web support software on the web server. When other processes are supported by the web server, ensure a risk assessment has been performed and documented. If a database server is installed on the same platform as the web server, it must be on a separate drive or partition. Remove all unnecessary applications and programs.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-38191r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-2251

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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