cis-ubuntu-14-04-lts-2-1-4-ensure-echo-services-are-not-enabled

name	CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 2.1.4 Ensure echo services are not enabled
description	Verify that echo inetd services are disabled to reduce attack surface
category	cis-os-hardening
version	2.1.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","ubuntu","ubuntu-14.04","level-1","scored","inetd"]
cis_id	2.1.4
cis_benchmark	CIS Ubuntu Linux 14.04 LTS Benchmark v2.1.0
tech_stack	["ubuntu","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	low

2.1.4 Ensure echo services are not enabled (Scored)

Profile Applicability

• Level 1 - Server
• Level 1 - Workstation

Description

echo is a network service that responds to clients with the data sent to it by the client. 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 echo service is not enabled. Run the following command and verify results are as indicated:

grep -R "^echo" /etc/inetd.*

No results should be returned.

Check /etc/xinetd.conf and /etc/xinetd.d/* and verify all echo services have disable = yes set.

Expected Result

No output should be returned from the grep command. All echo services in xinetd should have disable = yes.

Remediation

Comment out or remove any lines starting with echo from /etc/inetd.conf and /etc/inetd.d/*.

Set disable = yes on all echo services in /etc/xinetd.conf and /etc/xinetd.d/*.

Default Value

echo services are not enabled by default.

References

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

Profile

• Level 1 - Server
• Level 1 - Workstation