Cis GCP Cos 3.3.2.2

3.3.2.2 Ensure loopback traffic is configured (Automated)

Description

Configure the loopback interface to accept traffic. Configure all other interfaces to deny traffic to the loopback network (127.0.0.0/8).

Rationale

Loopback traffic is generated between processes on machine and is typically critical to operation of the system. The loopback interface is the only place that loopback network (127.0.0.0/8) traffic should be seen, all other interfaces should ignore traffic on this network as an anti-spoofing measure.

Impact

Changing firewall settings while connected over network can result in being locked out of the system.

Remediation will only affect the active system firewall, be sure to configure the default policy in your firewall management to apply on boot as well.

Audit Procedure

Run the following commands and verify output includes the listed rules in order (packet and byte counts may differ):

iptables -L INPUT -v -n

Chain INPUT (policy DROP 0 packets, 0 bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination
    0     0 ACCEPT     all  --  lo     *       0.0.0.0/0            0.0.0.0/0
    0     0 DROP       all  --  *      *       127.0.0.0/8          0.0.0.0/0

iptables -L OUTPUT -v -n

Chain OUTPUT (policy DROP 0 packets, 0 bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination
    0     0 ACCEPT     all  --  *      lo      0.0.0.0/0            0.0.0.0/0

Expected Result

• INPUT chain accepts all traffic on loopback interface (lo)
• INPUT chain drops all traffic from source 127.0.0.0/8
• OUTPUT chain accepts all traffic on loopback interface (lo)

Remediation

Run the following commands to implement the loopback rules:

iptables -A INPUT -i lo -j ACCEPT
iptables -A OUTPUT -o lo -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -s 127.0.0.0/8 -j DROP

CIS Controls

Profile

• Level 2 - Server