The IPv6 protocol handler must not be bound to the network stack unless needed.

From SUSE Linux Enterprise Server v11 for System z

Associated with: CCI-001551

SV-45980r1_rule The IPv6 protocol handler must not be bound to the network stack unless needed.

Vulnerability discussion

IPv6 is the next version of the Internet protocol. Binding this protocol to the network stack increases the attack surface of the host.

Check content

Use the ifconfig command to determine if any network interface has an IPv6 address bound to it: # /sbin/ifconfig | grep inet6 If any lines are returned that indicate IPv6 is active and the system does not need IPv6, this is a finding.

Fix text

Remove the capability to use IPv6 protocol handler. Procedure: Update the variable “IPV6_DISABLE” using YaST in the /etc/sysconfig editor under the ‘System’ > ‘Kernel’ tree. Setting this variable to “YES” deactivates IPv6 at boot time. Reboot the system to implement the change. NOTE: This change may affect other software product(s) that have their own IPv6 configuration settings.

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.