The Apache web server must perform server-side session management.

From Apache Server 2.4 UNIX Site Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000054

AS24-U2-000020_rule The Apache web server must perform server-side session management.

Vulnerability discussion

Session management is the practice of protecting the bulk of the user authorization and identity information. This data can be stored on the client system or on the server. When the session information is stored on the client, the session ID, along with the user authorization and identity information, is sent along with each client request and is stored in a cookie, embedded in the uniform resource locator (URL), or placed in a hidden field on the displayed form. Each of these offers advantages and disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage to all three is the possibility of the hijacking of a session along with all of the user's credentials. When the user authorization and identity information is stored on the server in a protected and encrypted database, the communication between the client and Apache web server will only send the session identifier, and the server can then retrieve user credentials for the session when needed. If, during transmission, the session were to be hijacked, the user's credentials would not be compromised.

Check content

In a command line, run "httpd -M | grep -i mod_session" and "httpd -M | grep -i mod_usertrack". If "mod_session" module and "mod_usertrack" are not enabled or do not exist, this is a finding.

Fix text

If the modules are not installed, install any missing packages. Add the following lines to the "httpd.conf" file: LoadModule usertrack_module modules/mod_usertrack.so LoadModule session_module modules/mod_session.so Additional documentation can be found at: https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/mod/mod_usertrack.html https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/mod/mod_session.html Restart Apache: apachectl restart

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.