cyberstrikeus Ensure MaxKeepAliveRequests is Set to a Value of 100 or Greater (Automated)
Profile Applicability
- Level 1
Description
The MaxKeepAliveRequests directive limits the number of requests allowed per connection when KeepAlive is on. If it is set to 0, unlimited requests will be allowed.
Rationale
The MaxKeepAliveRequests directive is important to be used to mitigate the risk of Denial of Service (DoS) attack technique by reducing the overhead imposed on the server. The KeepAlive directive must be enabled before it is effective. Enabling KeepAlives allows for multiple HTTP requests to be sent while keeping the same TCP connection alive. This reduces the overhead of having to setup and tear down TCP connections for each request. By making the server more efficient, it will be more resilient to DoS conditions.
Audit
Perform the following steps to determine if the recommended state is implemented: Verify that the MaxKeepAliveRequests directive in the Apache configuration to have a value of 100 or more. If the directive is not present the default value is 100.
Remediation
Perform the following to implement the recommended state: Add or modify the MaxKeepAliveRequests directive in the Apache configuration to have a value of 100 or more.
MaxKeepAliveRequests 100
Default Value
MaxKeepAliveRequests 100
References
CIS Controls
v8:
- 4.2 Establish and Maintain a Secure Configuration Process for Network Infrastructure
- Establish and maintain a secure configuration process for network devices. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
v7:
- 5.1 Establish Secure Configurations
- Maintain documented, standard security configuration standards for all authorized operating systems and software.
Profile
- Level 1