Title

Web server accounts accessing the directory tree, the shell, or other operating system functions and utilities must only be administrative accounts. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

As a rule, accounts on a web server are to be kept to a minimum. Only administrators, web managers, developers, auditors, and web authors require accounts on the machine hosting the web server. The resources to which these accounts have access must also be closely monitored and controlled. Only the system administrator needs access to all the system's capabilities, while the web administrator and associated staff require access and control of the web content and web server configuration files.

Check Content

Review the web server documentation and configuration to determine what web server accounts are available on the hosting server. If non-privileged web server accounts are available with access to functions, directories, or files not needed for the role of the account, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Limit the functions, directories, and files that are accessible by each account and role to administrative accounts and remove or modify non-privileged account access.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-206393r961095_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-206393

Group Title: SRG-APP-000211

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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