V-275577

Discussion

It is detrimental for operating systems to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives. These unnecessary capabilities are often overlooked and therefore, may remain unsecure. They increase the risk to the platform by providing additional attack vectors. Telnet is a client/server application protocol that provides an unencrypted remote access service that does not provide for the confidentiality and integrity of user passwords or the remote session. If users were allowed to log in to a system using Telnet, the privileged user passwords and communications could be compromised. Removing the "telnetd" package decreases the risk of accidental or intentional activation of the Telnet service.

Check Content

Verify the "telnetd" package is not installed on Ubuntu OS by using the following command:  
 
     $ dpkg -l | grep telnetd 
 
If the "telnetd" package is installed, this is a finding.