cis-gcp-cos-3-3-2-1

name	cis-gcp-cos-3.3.2.1
description	Ensure default deny firewall policy
category	cis-gcp-cos
version	1.2.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","gcp","container-optimized-os","firewall","iptables","ipv4","network-security","default-deny"]
cis_id	3.3.2.1
cis_benchmark	CIS Google Container-Optimized OS Benchmark v1.2.0
tech_stack	["gcp","linux"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

3.3.2.1 Ensure default deny firewall policy (Automated)

Description

A default deny all policy on connections ensures that any unconfigured network usage will be rejected.

Rationale

With a default accept policy the firewall will accept any packet that is not configured to be denied. It is easier to white list acceptable usage than to black list unacceptable usage.

Impact

Changing firewall settings while connected over network can result in being locked out of the system.

Remediation will only affect the active system firewall, be sure to configure the default policy in your firewall management to apply on boot as well.

Audit Procedure

Run the following command and verify that the policy for the INPUT, OUTPUT, and FORWARD chains is DROP or REJECT:

iptables -L

Expected Result

Chain INPUT (policy DROP)
Chain FORWARD (policy DROP)
Chain OUTPUT (policy DROP)

Remediation

Run the following commands to implement a default DROP policy:

iptables -P INPUT DROP
iptables -P OUTPUT DROP
iptables -P FORWARD DROP

CIS Controls

Controls Version	Control	IG 1	IG 2	IG 3
v8	4.4 Implement and Manage a Firewall on Servers - Implement and manage a firewall on servers, where supported. Example implementations include a virtual firewall, operating system firewall, or a third-party firewall agent.	x	x	x
v7	9.4 Apply Host-based Firewalls or Port Filtering - Apply host-based firewalls or port filtering tools on end systems, with a default-deny rule that drops all traffic except those services and ports that are explicitly allowed.	x	x	x

Profile

• Level 2 - Server