Apache web server accounts accessing the directory tree, the shell, or other operating system functions and utilities must only be administrative accounts.
Overview
Finding ID
Version
Rule ID
IA Controls
Severity
V-214329
AS24-W1-000430
SV-214329r961095_rule
Medium
Description
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.
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 (F-15539r277491_fix)
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.