Apache web server accounts accessing the directory tree, the shell, or other operating system functions and utilities must only be administrative accounts.

From Apache Server 2.4 Windows Server Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-001082

AS24-W1-000430_rule Apache web server accounts accessing the directory tree, the shell, or other operating system functions and utilities must only be administrative accounts.

Vulnerability discussion

As a rule, accounts on a web server are to be kept to a minimum. Only administrators, web managers, developers, auditors, and web authors require accounts on the machine hosting the web server. The resources to which these accounts have access must also be closely monitored and controlled. Only the system administrator needs access to all the system's capabilities, while the web administrator and associated staff require access and control of the web content and web server configuration files.

Check content

Review the web server documentation and configuration to determine what web server accounts are available on the hosting server. Review permissions in the web and Apache directories. If the files are owned by anyone other than the Apache user set up to run Apache, this is a finding. If non-privileged web server accounts are available with access to functions, directories, or files not needed for the role of the account, this is a finding.

Fix text

Limit the functions, directories, and files that are accessible by each account and role to administrative accounts and remove or modify non-privileged account access.

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.