cis-ubuntu1204-v110-7-4-2

name	cis-ubuntu1204-v110-7-4-2
description	Create /etc/hosts.allow
category	cis-os-hardening
version	1.1.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu",12.04,"linux","networking","tcp-wrappers","hosts-allow","access-control"]
cis_id	7.4.2
cis_benchmark	CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0
tech_stack	["ubuntu","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

7.4.2 Create /etc/hosts.allow (Not Scored)

Profile Applicability

• Level 1

Description

The /etc/hosts.allow file specifies which IP addresses are permitted to connect to the host. It is intended to be used in conjunction with the /etc/hosts.deny file.

Rationale

The /etc/hosts.allow file supports access control by IP and helps ensure that only authorized systems can connect to the server.

Audit Procedure

Using Command Line

Run the following command to verify the contents of the /etc/hosts.allow file.

cat /etc/hosts.allow

Expected Result

Contents will vary, depending on your network configuration.

Remediation

Using Command Line

Create /etc/hosts.allow:

echo "ALL: <net>/<mask>, <net>/<mask>, ..." >/etc/hosts.allow

where each <net>/<mask> combination (for example, "192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0") represents one network block in use by your organization that requires access to this system.

Default Value

The /etc/hosts.allow file may or may not exist by default.

References

• CIS Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server Benchmark v1.1.0

Profile

Level 1 - Not Scored