Details

The HTTP 1.1 protocol supports several request methods which are rarely used and potentially high risk. For example, methods such as PUT and DELETE are rarely used and should be disabled in keeping with the primary security principal of minimize features and options. Also since the usage of these methods is typically to modify resources on the web server, they should be explicitly disallowed. For normal web server operation, you will typically need to allow only the GET, HEAD and POST request methods. This will allow for downloading of web pages and submitting information to web forms. The OPTIONS request method will also be allowed as it is used to request which HTTP request methods are allowed.

Solution

Edit the httpd.conf file and add the following entries for every enabled directory except root.

Order allow,deny

Deny from all

Supportive Information

The following resource is also helpful.

• https://iasecontent.disa.mil/stigs/zip/U_Apache_2-2_UNIX_V1R11_STIG.zip

This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: Configuration Management.This control applies to the following type of system Unix.

References

• 800-53|CM-6b.
• CAT|II
• Rule-ID|SV-33236r2_rule
• STIG-ID|WA00565_A22
• Vuln-ID|V-26396

Source

• Tenable.com/audits