V-217017

Discussion

A compromised router introduces risk to the entire network infrastructure, as well as data resources that are accessible via the network. The perimeter defense has no oversight or control of attacks by malicious users within the network. Preventing network breaches from within is dependent on implementing a comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy, including securing each device connected to the network. This is accomplished by following and implementing all security guidance applicable for each node type. A fundamental step in securing each router is to enable only the capabilities required for operation.

Check Content

Review the router configuration to determine if services not required for operation are enabled. Services such as finger, ftp, telnet must never be enabled; hence, they should not be shown under the system services hierarchy.

If J-web is not used for administrative access, the web-management services must not be configured as shown below.

If DHCP server is not being deployed on the router, the command dhcp-local-server must not be configured as shown below.

system {
    …
    …
    …
    services {
        web-management {
           https {
            interface ge-0/0/0.0;
           }
        }
        finger;
        ftp;
        ssh {
            protocol-version v2;
            macs [ hmac-sha1-96 hmac-sha2-256 hmac-sha2-512 ];
        }
        telnet;
        netconf {
            ssh;
        }
        dhcp-local-server {
            group DHCP_GROUP {
                interface ge-0/1/0.0;
            }
        }
    }

If unnecessary services and functions are enabled on the router, this is a finding.