Title

The web server must set an inactive timeout for sessions. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Leaving sessions open indefinitely is a major security risk. An attacker can easily use an already authenticated session to access the hosted application as the previously authenticated user. By closing sessions after a set period of inactivity, the web server can make certain that those sessions that are not closed through the user logging out of an application are eventually closed. Acceptable values are 5 minutes for high-value applications, 10 minutes for medium-value applications, and 20 minutes for low-value applications.

Check Content

Review the hosted applications, web server documentation and deployed configuration to verify that the web server will close an open session after a configurable time of inactivity. If the web server does not close sessions after a configurable time of inactivity or the amount of time is configured higher than 5 minutes for high-risk applications, 10 minutes for medium-risk applications, or 20 minutes for low-risk applications, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the web server to close inactive sessions after 5 minutes for high-risk applications, 10 minutes for medium-risk applications, or 20 minutes for low-risk applications.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-206415r961221_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-206415

Group Title: SRG-APP-000295

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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