CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0 - Control 4.4.2.4
Profile
- Level: Level 1 - Server, Level 1 - Workstation
- Assessment Status: Automated
Description
Any ports that have been opened on non-loopback addresses need firewall rules to govern traffic.
Notes:
- 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
- The remediation command opens up the port to traffic from all sources. Consult iptables documentation and set any restrictions in compliance with site policy
Rationale
Without a firewall rule configured for open ports default firewall policy will drop all packets to these ports.
Audit Procedure
Command Line
Run the following command to determine open ports:
ss -4tuln
Netid State Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address:Port Peer Address:Port
udp UNCONN 0 0 *:68 *:*
udp UNCONN 0 0 *:123 *:*
tcp LISTEN 0 128 *:22 *:*
Run the following command to determine firewall rules:
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
0 0 ACCEPT tcp -- * * 0.0.0.0/0 0.0.0.0/0 tcp dpt:22 state NEW
Verify all open ports listening on non-localhost addresses have at least one firewall rule. The last line identified by the tcp dpt:22 state NEW identifies it as a firewall rule for new connections on tcp port 22.
Expected Result
All open ports on non-localhost addresses have corresponding iptables rules.
Remediation
Command Line
For each port identified in the audit which does not have a firewall rule establish a proper rule for accepting inbound connections:
iptables -A INPUT -p <protocol> --dport <port> -m state --state NEW -j ACCEPT
Default Value
Not applicable.
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: CA-9, SC-7
CIS Controls
v8 - 4.4 Implement and Manage a Firewall on Servers v8 - 4.5 Implement and Manage a Firewall on End-User Devices v7 - 9.4 Apply Host-based Firewalls or Port Filtering
MITRE ATT&CK Mappings: T1562, T1562.004 | TA0011 | M1031, M1037