cis-apache24-8-3

name	cis-apache24-8.3
description	Ensure All Default Apache Content Is Removed (Manual)
category	cis-apache
version	2.3.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","apache","linux","information-leakage","default-content","icons"]
cis_id	8.3
cis_benchmark	CIS Apache HTTP Server 2.4 Benchmark v2.3.0
tech_stack	["linux","apache"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

Ensure All Default Apache Content Is Removed (Manual)

Profile Applicability

• Level 2

Description

In previous recommendations, we have removed default content such as the Apache manuals and default CGI programs. However, if you want to further restrict information leakage about the web server, it is important that default content such as icons are not left on the web server.

Rationale

To identify the type of web servers and versions software installed it is common for attackers to scan for icons or special content specific to the server type and version. A simple request like http://example.com/icons/apache_pb2.png may tell the attacker that the server is Apache 2.4. Many icons are used primarily for auto indexing, which is also recommended to be disabled.

Audit

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

Verify that there is no alias or directory access to the Apache icons directory in any of the Apache configuration files.

Remediation

Perform either of the following to implement the recommended state:

1. The default source build places the auto-index and icon configurations in the extra/httpd-autoindex.conf file, so it can be disabled by leaving the include line commented out in the main httpd.conf file as shown below.

   • # Fancy directory listings
   • #Include conf/extra/httpd-autoindex.conf

2. Alternatively, the icon alias directive and the directory access control configuration can be commented out as shown if present:

   • # We include the /icons/ alias for FancyIndexed directory listings. If
   • # you do not use FancyIndexing, you may comment this out.
   • #
   • #Alias /icons/ "/var/www/icons/"
   • #<Directory "/var/www/icons">
   • # Options Indexes MultiViews FollowSymLinks
   • # AllowOverride None
   • # Order allow,deny
   • # Allow from all
   • #</Directory>

Default Value

The default source build does not enable access to the Apache icons.

CIS Controls

v8: