The Apache web server must set an absolute timeout for sessions.

From Apache Server 2.4 Windows Site Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-002361

AS24-W2-000640_rule The Apache web server must set an absolute timeout for sessions.

Vulnerability discussion

Leaving sessions open indefinitely is a major security risk. An attacker can easily use an already authenticated session to access the hosted application as the previously authenticated user. By closing sessions after an absolute period of time, the user is forced to reauthenticate, guaranteeing the session is still in use. Enabling an absolute timeout for sessions closes sessions that are still active. Examples would be a runaway process accessing the web server or an attacker using a hijacked session to slowly probe the web server.

Check content

Review the <'INSTALLED PATH'>\conf\httpd.conf file. Verify the "SessionMaxAge" directive exists. If it does not exist, this is a finding. If the "SessionMaxAge" directive exists but is not set to "1", this is a finding.

Fix text

Edit the <'INSTALLED PATH'>\conf\httpd.conf file and add or set the "SessionMaxAge" directive to "1".

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