cis-apache-2-8

name	cis-apache-2.8
description	Ensure the Info Module Is Disabled
category	cis-apache
version	3.6.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","apache","linux","modules","info"]
cis_id	2.8
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 Info Module Is Disabled

Description

The Apache mod_info module provides information on the server configuration via access to a /server-info URL location.

Rationale

Although having server configuration information available as a web page may be convenient, it's recommended that this module be disabled. Once the module is loaded into the server, its handler capability is available in per-directory .htaccess files. This can leak sensitive information, such as system paths, usernames/passwords, and database names, from the configuration directives of other Apache modules.

Impact

None documented

Audit Procedure

Perform the following to determine if the info module is disabled.

Run the httpd server with the -M option to list enabled modules:

# httpd -M | egrep 'info_module'

Note: If the module is correctly disabled, the only output when executing the above command should be Syntax OK.

Remediation

Perform either one of the following to disable the mod_info module:

1. For source builds with static modules, run the Apache ./configure script without including mod_info in the --enable-modules= configure script options.

$ cd $DOWNLOAD/httpd-2.2.22
$ ./configure

2. For dynamically loaded modules, comment out or remove the LoadModule directive for the mod_info module from the httpd.conf file.

##LoadModule info_module modules/mod_info.so

Default Value

The module is disabled with a default source build.

References

1. https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/mod_info.html

CIS Controls

Version 6

9.1 Limit Open Ports, Protocols, and Services Ensure that only ports, protocols, and services with validated business needs are running on each system.

Version 7

9.2 Ensure Only Approved Ports, Protocols and Services Are Running Ensure that only network ports, protocols, and services listening on a system with validated business needs, are running on each system.