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V-13732

CAT II (Medium)

The FollowSymLinks setting must be disabled.

Rule ID

SV-33001r1_rule

STIG

APACHE 2.2 Server for Windows Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V1R13

CCIs

None

Discussion

The Options directive configures the web server features that are available in particular directories. The FollowSymLinks option controls the ability of the server to follow symbolic links. A symbolic link allows a file or a directory to be referenced using a symbolic name raising a potential hazard if symbolic linkage is made to a sensitive area. When web scripts are executed and symbolic links are allowed, the web user could be allowed to access locations on the web server that are outside the scope of the web document root or home directory.

Check Content

Locate the Apache httpd.conf file.

Open the httpd.conf file with an editor such as notepad, and search for the following uncommented directive: Options

Review all uncommented Options statements for the following value: -FollowSymLinks

If the value is found with an Options statement, and it does not have a preceding “-”, this is a finding.

Notes:
- If the value does NOT exist, this is a finding.
- If all enabled Options statement are set to None this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Add a "-" to the FollowSymLinks setting, or set the options directive to None.