Title

The web server must set an absolute session timeout value of eight hours or less. (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 an absolute period of time, the user is forced to re-authenticate guaranteeing the session is still in use. Enabling an absolute timeout for sessions closes sessions that are still active. Examples would be a runaway process accessing the web server or an attacker using a hijacked session to slowly probe the web server.

Check Content

Verify that the web server is configured to close sessions after eight hours or less. If the web server is not configured to close sessions after eight hours or less, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the web server to close sessions after eight hours or less.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-206414r962268_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-206414

Group Title: SRG-APP-000295

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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