cyberstrikeus Ensure the TimeOut Is Set Properly
Description
The TimeOut directive controls the maximum time in seconds that Apache HTTP server will wait for an Input/Output call to complete. It is recommended that the TimeOut directive be set to 10 or less.
Rationale
One common technique for DoS is to initiate many connections to the server. By decreasing the timeout for old connections, the server can free resources more quickly and be more responsive. By making the server more efficient, it will be more resilient to DoS conditions.
Important Notice: There is a slow form of DoS attack not adequately mitigated by these controls, such as the Slow Loris DoS attack of June 2009 http://ha.ckers.org/slowloris/. Upgrading to Apache 2.4 is recommended.
Impact
None documented
Audit Procedure
Perform the following steps to determine if the recommended state is implemented:
Verify that the Timeout directive is specified in the Apache configuration files to have a value of 10 seconds or less.
Remediation
Perform the following to implement the recommended state:
Add or modify the Timeout directive in the Apache configuration files to have a value of 10 seconds or less.
Timeout 10
Default Value
Timeout 300
References
CIS Controls
Version 6
9 Limitation and Control of Network Ports, Protocols, and Services Limitation and Control of Network Ports, Protocols, and Services
Version 7
5.1 Establish Secure Configurations Maintain documented, standard security configuration standards for all authorized operating systems and software.
Profile
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