Title

Exchange software baseline copy does not exist. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Exchange 2003 software, as with other application software installed on a host system, must be included in a system baseline record and periodically reviewed, otherwise unauthorized changes to the software may not be discovered. This effort is a vital step to securing the host and the applications, as it is the only method that may provide the ability to detect and recover from otherwise undetected changes, such as those that result from worm or bot intrusions. The Exchange 2003 software and configuration baseline is created and maintained for comparison during scanning efforts. Operational procedures must include baseline updates as part of configuration management tasks that change the software and configuration.

Check Content

Interview the E-Mail Administrator or the IAO. Reference a copy of the System Security Plan. Procedure: Review the application software baseline procedures and implementation evidence. Review the list of files and directories included in the baseline procedure for completeness. Criteria: If E-mail software copy exists to serve as a baseline and is available for comparison during scanning efforts, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Procedure: Implement E-mail software baseline process. Ensure that a plan exists for periodic comparison and is incorporated into the configuration management procedures.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-20429r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-18743

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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