cis-apache-9-3

name	cis-apache-9.3
description	Ensure MaxKeepAliveRequests Is Set Properly
category	cis-apache
version	3.6.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","apache","linux","dos","denial-of-service","keepalive"]
cis_id	9.3
cis_benchmark	CIS Apache HTTP Server 2.2 Benchmark v3.6.0
tech_stack	["linux","apache"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

Ensure MaxKeepAliveRequests Is Set Properly

Description

The MaxKeepAliveRequests directive limits the number of requests allowed per connection when KeepAlive is on. If it is set to 0, unlimited requests will be allowed. It is recommended that the MaxKeepAliveRequests directive be set to 100 or greater.

Rationale

Limiting the number of requests per connection may improve a server's resiliency to DoS attacks.

Impact

None documented

Audit Procedure

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

Verify that the MaxKeepAliveRequests directive in the Apache configuration either has a value of 100 or more or is not present. If the directive is not present, the default value is 100.

Remediation

Perform the following to implement the recommended state:

Add or modify the MaxKeepAliveRequests directive in the Apache configuration to have a value of 100 or more.

MaxKeepAliveRequests 100

Default Value

MaxKeepAliveRequests 100

References

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

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