cis-apache-9-4

name	cis-apache-9.4
description	Ensure the KeepAliveTimeout Is Set Properly
category	cis-apache
version	3.6.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","apache","linux","dos","denial-of-service","keepalive","timeout"]
cis_id	9.4
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 KeepAliveTimeout Is Set Properly

Description

The KeepAliveTimeout directive specifies the number of seconds Apache will wait for a subsequent request before closing a connection that is being kept alive.

Rationale

Reducing the number of seconds that Apache HTTP server will keep unused resources allocated will increase the availability of resources to serve other requests. This efficiency gain 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 KeepAliveTimeout directive in the Apache configuration either has a value of 15 or less or is not present. If the directive is not present, the default value is 15 seconds.

Remediation

Perform the following to implement the recommended state:

Add or modify the KeepAliveTimeout directive in the Apache configuration to have a value of 15 or less.

KeepAliveTimeout 15

Default Value

KeepAliveTimeout 15

References

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

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