cyberstrikeus Ensure Group Write Access for the Apache Directories and Files Is Properly Restricted
Description
Group permissions on Apache directories should generally be r-x, and file permissions should be similar, except not executable if executable is not appropriate. This applies to all the Apache software directories and files installed, with the possible exception of the web document root $DOCROOT defined by Apache DocumentRoot and defaulting to $APACHE_PREFIX/htdocs. The directories and files in the web document root may have a designated web development group with write access to allow web content to be updated.
Rationale
Restricting write permissions on the Apache files and directories can help mitigate attacks that modify web content to provide unauthorized access or to attack web clients.
Impact
None documented
Audit Procedure
Verify that there are no files or directories in the Apache directory with group write access, excluding symbolic links:
# find -L $APACHE_PREFIX \! -type l -perm /g=w -ls
Remediation
Perform the following to remove group write access on the $APACHE_PREFIX directories:
# chmod -R g-w $APACHE_PREFIX
Default Value
None documented
References
None documented
CIS Controls
Version 6
14.4 Protect Information With Access Control Lists
All information stored on systems shall be protected with file system, network share, claims, application, or database specific access control lists. These controls will enforce the principle that only authorized individuals should have access to the information based on their need to access the information as a part of their responsibilities.
Version 7
14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists
Protect all information stored on systems with file system, network share, claims, application, or database specific access control lists. These controls will enforce the principle that only authorized individuals should have access to the information based on their need to access the information as a part of their responsibilities.
Profile
Level 1 | Scored