# Cis Apache 5.2

> Ensure Options for the Web Root Directory Are Restricted

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-apache-5-2` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-apache-5-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-apache-5-2/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-apache-5-2

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# Ensure Options for the Web Root Directory Are Restricted

## Description

The Apache `Options` directive allows for specific configuration of options, including execution of CGI, following symbolic links, server side includes, and content negotiation.

Refer to the Apache 2.2 documentation for details
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/core.html#options.

## Rationale

The `Options` directive at the web root or document root level should be restricted to the minimal options required. A setting of None is highly recommended; however, at this level, content negotiation may be needed if multiple languages are supported. No other options should be enabled.

## Impact

None documented

## Audit Procedure

Perform the following to determine if the recommended state is implemented:

1. Search the Apache configuration files (`httpd.conf` and any included configuration files) to find the document root `<Directory>` element.
2. Ensure there is a single `Options` directive with the value of None or Multiviews (if multiviews are needed).

The following may be useful in extracting root directory elements from the Apache configuration for auditing:

```bash
perl -ne 'print if /^ *<Directory *\/i .. /<\/Directory/i'
$APACHE_PREFIX/conf/httpd.conf
```

## Remediation

Perform the following to implement the recommended state:

1. Search the Apache configuration files (`httpd.conf` and any included configuration files) to find the document root `<Directory>` element.
2. Add or modify any existing `Options` directive to have a value of None or Multiviews, if multiviews are needed.

```apache
<Directory "/usr/local/apache2/htdocs">
   . . .
   Options None
   . . .
</Directory>
```

## Default Value

The following is the default document root directory configuration:

```apache
<Directory "/usr/local/apache2/htdocs">
   . . .
   Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
   . . .
</Directory>
```

## References

1. https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/core.html#options

## CIS Controls

Version 6

18 Application Software Security
Application Software Security

Version 7

5.1 Establish Secure Configurations
Maintain documented, standard security configuration standards for all authorized operating systems and software.

## Profile

Level 1 | Scored