cis-apache-9-1

name	cis-apache-9.1
description	Ensure the TimeOut Is Set Properly
category	cis-apache
version	3.6.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","apache","linux","dos","denial-of-service","timeout"]
cis_id	9.1
cis_benchmark	CIS Apache HTTP Server 2.2 Benchmark v3.6.0
tech_stack	["linux","apache"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

Ensure the TimeOut Is Set Properly

Description

The TimeOut directive controls the maximum time in seconds that Apache HTTP server will wait for an Input/Output call to complete. It is recommended that the TimeOut directive be set to 10 or less.

Rationale

One common technique for DoS is to initiate many connections to the server. By decreasing the timeout for old connections, the server can free resources more quickly and be more responsive. By making the server more efficient, it will be more resilient to DoS conditions.

Important Notice: There is a slow form of DoS attack not adequately mitigated by these controls, such as the Slow Loris DoS attack of June 2009 http://ha.ckers.org/slowloris/. Upgrading to Apache 2.4 is recommended.

Impact

None documented

Audit Procedure

Perform the following steps to determine if the recommended state is implemented:

Verify that the Timeout directive is specified in the Apache configuration files to have a value of 10 seconds or less.

Remediation

Perform the following to implement the recommended state:

Add or modify the Timeout directive in the Apache configuration files to have a value of 10 seconds or less.

Timeout 10

Default Value

Timeout 300

References

1. https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/core.html#timeout

CIS Controls

Version 6

9 Limitation and Control of Network Ports, Protocols, and Services Limitation and Control of Network Ports, Protocols, and Services

Version 7

5.1 Establish Secure Configurations Maintain documented, standard security configuration standards for all authorized operating systems and software.

Profile

Level 1 | Scored