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V-220451

CAT II (Medium)

The Cisco perimeter switch must be configured to have Proxy ARP disabled on all external interfaces.

Rule ID

SV-220451r856242_rule

STIG

Cisco IOS Switch RTR Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V3R3

CCIs

CCI-002403

Discussion

When Proxy ARP is enabled on a switch, it allows that switch to extend the network (at Layer 2) across multiple interfaces (LAN segments). Because proxy ARP allows hosts from different LAN segments to look like they are on the same segment, proxy ARP is only safe when used between trusted LAN segments. Attackers can leverage the trusting nature of proxy ARP by spoofing a trusted host and then intercepting packets. Proxy ARP should always be disabled on switch interfaces that do not require it unless the switch is being used as a LAN bridge.

Check Content

Review the switch configuration to determine if IP Proxy ARP is disabled on all external interfaces as shown in the example below: 

interface GigabitEthernet0/1 
 description link to DISN 
 ip address x.1.12.2 255.255.255.252 
 no ip proxy-arp 

Note: By default, Proxy ARP is enabled on all interfaces; hence, if enabled, it will not be shown in the configuration. 

If IP Proxy ARP is enabled on any external interface, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Disable Proxy ARP on all external interfaces as shown in the example below: 

SW1(config)#int g0/1 
SW1(config-if)#no ip proxy-arp