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cis-ubuntu2004-v300-4-4-2-2

DevOps & Security
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Ensure iptables loopback traffic is configured

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike/blob/HEAD/.cyberstrike/skill/CIS_benchmarks/Operating_Systems/Ubuntu/CIS_Ubuntu_Linux_20.04_LTS_Benchmark_v3.0.0/cis-ubuntu2004-v300-4-4-2-2/SKILL.md

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CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0 - Control 4.4.2.2

Profile

  • Level: Level 1 - Server, Level 1 - Workstation
  • Assessment Status: Automated

Description

Configure the loopback interface to accept traffic. Configure all other interfaces to deny traffic to the loopback network (127.0.0.0/8).

Note:

  • Changing firewall settings while connected over network can result in being locked out of the system
  • Remediation will only affect the active system firewall, be sure to configure the default policy in your firewall management to apply on boot as well

Rationale

Loopback traffic is generated between processes on machine and is typically critical to the operation of the system. The loopback interface is the only place that loopback network (127.0.0.0/8) traffic should be seen, all other interfaces should ignore traffic on this network as an anti-spoofing measure.

Audit Procedure

Command Line

Run the following commands and verify output includes the listed rules in order (pkts and bytes counts may differ, prot may be all or 0):

iptables -L INPUT -v -n

Chain INPUT (policy DROP 0 packets, 0 bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination
    0     0 ACCEPT     all  --  lo     *       0.0.0.0/0            0.0.0.0/0
    0     0 DROP       all  --  *      *       127.0.0.0/8          0.0.0.0/0

iptables -L OUTPUT -v -n

Chain OUTPUT (policy DROP 0 packets, 0 bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination
    0     0 ACCEPT     all  --  *      lo      0.0.0.0/0            0.0.0.0/0

Expected Result

INPUT chain accepts loopback traffic and drops traffic from 127.0.0.0/8. OUTPUT chain accepts outbound loopback traffic.

Remediation

Command Line

Run the following commands to implement the loopback rules:

iptables -A INPUT -i lo -j ACCEPT
iptables -A OUTPUT -o lo -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -s 127.0.0.0/8 -j DROP

Default Value

Not applicable.

References

  1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: CA-9, SC-7

CIS Controls

v8 - 4.4 Implement and Manage a Firewall on Servers v8 - 4.5 Implement and Manage a Firewall on End-User Devices v7 - 9.4 Apply Host-based Firewalls or Port Filtering

MITRE ATT&CK Mappings: T1562, T1562.004 | TA0011 | M1031, M1037