# CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 2.2.5 Ensure DHCP Server is not enabled

> Verify that DHCP server service is disabled when not required

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-2-2-5-ensure-dhcp-server-is-not-enabled` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-2-2-5-ensure-dhcp-server-is-not-enabled`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-2-2-5-ensure-dhcp-server-is-not-enabled/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-ubuntu-14-04-lts-2-2-5-ensure-dhcp-server-is-not-enabled

---


# 2.2.5 Ensure DHCP Server is not enabled (Scored)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a service that allows machines to be dynamically assigned IP addresses.

## Rationale

Unless a system is specifically set up to act as a DHCP server, it is recommended that this service be deleted to reduce the potential attack surface.

## Audit Procedure

Ensure no start conditions listed for `isc-dhcp-server` or `isc-dhcp-server6`:

```bash
initctl show-config isc-dhcp-server
initctl show-config isc-dhcp-server6
```

Verify the output shows no start conditions.

## Expected Result

The `isc-dhcp-server` and `isc-dhcp-server6` services should have no start conditions listed.

## Remediation

Remove or comment out start lines in `/etc/init/isc-dhcp-server.conf` and `/etc/init/isc-dhcp-server6.conf`:

```bash
#start on runlevel [2345]
```

## Default Value

DHCP server is not enabled by default.

## References

1. More detailed documentation on DHCP is available at http://www.isc.org/software/dhcp.

- CIS Controls: 9.1 Limit Open Ports, Protocols, and Services

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation