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. This requirement also applies to Zero Trust initiatives.
Review the web server documentation and configuration to determine what web server accounts are available on the hosting server. If nonprivileged web server accounts are available with access to functions, directories, or files not needed for the role of the account, this is a finding.
Limit the functions, directories, and files that are accessible by each account and role to administrative accounts and remove or modify nonprivileged account access.