cyberstrikeus 2.1.3 Ensure discard services are not enabled (Scored)
Profile Applicability
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
Description
discard is a network service that simply discards all data it receives. This service is intended for debugging and testing purposes. It is recommended that this service be disabled.
Rationale
Disabling this service will reduce the remote attack surface of the system.
Audit Procedure
Verify the discard service is not enabled. Run the following command and verify results are as indicated:
grep -R "^discard" /etc/inetd.*
No results should be returned.
Check /etc/xinetd.conf and /etc/xinetd.d/* and verify all discard services have disable = yes set.
Expected Result
No output should be returned from the grep command. All discard services in xinetd should have disable = yes.
Remediation
Comment out or remove any lines starting with discard from /etc/inetd.conf and /etc/inetd.d/*.
Set disable = yes on all discard services in /etc/xinetd.conf and /etc/xinetd.d/*.
Default Value
discard services are not enabled by default.
References
- CIS Controls: 9.1 Limit Open Ports, Protocols, and Services
Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation