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CIS Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - 2.2.4 Ensure CUPS is not enabled

DevOps & Security
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Verify that CUPS print service is disabled when not required

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike/blob/HEAD/.cyberstrike/skill/CIS_benchmarks/Operating_Systems/Ubuntu/CIS_Ubuntu_Linux_14.04_LTS_Benchmark_v2.1.0/cis-ubuntu1404-v210-2-2-4/SKILL.md

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2.2.4 Ensure CUPS is not enabled (Scored)

Profile Applicability

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 2 - Workstation

Description

The Common Unix Print System (CUPS) provides the ability to print to both local and network printers. A system running CUPS can also accept print jobs from remote systems and print them to local printers. It also provides a web based remote administration capability.

Rationale

If the system does not need to print jobs or accept print jobs from other systems, it is recommended that CUPS be disabled to reduce the potential attack surface.

Audit Procedure

Run the following commands to verify no start conditions listed for cups:

initctl show-config cups

Verify the output shows cups with no start conditions.

Expected Result

The cups service should have no start conditions listed.

Remediation

Remove or comment out start lines in /etc/init/cups.conf:

#start on runlevel [2345]

Default Value

CUPS may be enabled by default on workstation installations. Disabling CUPS will prevent printing from the system, a common task for workstation systems.

References

  1. More detailed documentation on CUPS is available at the project homepage at http://www.cups.org.
  • CIS Controls: 9.1 Limit Open Ports, Protocols, and Services

Profile

  • Level 1 - Server
  • Level 2 - Workstation