Debugging and trace information used to diagnose the web server must be disabled.

From Web Server Security Requirements Guide

Associated with: CCI-001312

SV-54432r3_rule Debugging and trace information used to diagnose the web server must be disabled.

Vulnerability discussion

Information needed by an attacker to begin looking for possible vulnerabilities in a web server includes any information about the web server and plug-ins or modules being used. When debugging or trace information is enabled in a production web server, information about the web server, such as web server type, version, patches installed, plug-ins and modules installed, type of code being used by the hosted application, and any backends being used for data storage may be displayed. Since this information may be placed in logs and general messages during normal operation of the web server, an attacker does not need to cause an error condition to gain this information.

Check content

Review the web server documentation and deployed configuration to determine if debugging and trace information are enabled. If the web server is configured with debugging and trace information enabled, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the web server to minimize the information given to clients on error conditions by disabling debugging and trace information.

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.