if (env=ARM) 0xE1A00000

Networking | 2010-10-14 03:03:07

This is the list of IOS hardening suggested by Cisco as per the CCNP2 curriculum. This combined with the common security ACL in the last post should be a good basis for keeping the network boundary tight.

BootP
Default: enabled
Description: This service permits the router to act as a BOOTP server for ther network devices. Such a service is rarely needed in modern networks, and should be disabled.

(config) no ip bootp server

CDP
Default: enabled
Description: CDP periodically advertises information between Cisco devices, such as the type of device and Cisco IOS version. Such information could be used to determine vulnerabilites and launch specific attachsl. Unless needed inside the network, this service should be disabled globally or disabled on unneccessary interfaces.

(config) no cdp run
(config-if) no cdp enable

Configuration auto-loading
Default: Enabled (globally and interfaces)
Description: This service permits a router to automatically load a configuration file from a network server upon boot. This service should remain disabled when not needed

(config) no service config

FTP Server
Default: Disabled
Description: This service permits the router to act as an FTP server for specific files in flash memory. It should remain disabled when not needed.

(config) no ftp-server enable

TFTP Server
Default: Disabled
Description: This service permits the router to act as a TFTP server for specific files in flash memory. It should remain disabled when not in use.

(config) no tftp-server file-sys:image-name

NTP service
Default: Disabled
Description: This service both receives a time-of-day clock from an NTP server and allows the router to act as an NTP server to NTP clients. Correct time is necessary for accurate time stamps when logging messages. This service should be disabled if not needed, or restricted to only devices that require NTP services.

(config) no ntp server ip-address

Packet assembler/disassembler (PAD) service
Default: enabled
Description: This service allows access to X.25 PAD commands in an X.25 network. Such a service is rarely needed in modern networks and should be disabled

(config) no service pad

TCP and UDP minor services
Default: Enabled before 11.3 disabled after 11.3
Description: These services execute small servers (daemons) in the router, typically used for diagnostics. They are rarely used and should be disabled.

(config) no service tcp-small-servers
(config) no service udp-small-servers

Maintenance Operation Protocol (MOP) service
Default: Enabled (most ethernet interfaces)
Description: This service is a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) maintenance protocol. Such a service is rarely needed in modern networks and should be disabled.

(config-if) no mop enable

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Default: Enabled
Description: This service permits the router to respond to queries and configuration requests. If not used, this service should be disabled. If needed, restrict access to the router via access controls lists (ACL) and use SNMPv3 for additional security features.

(config) no snmp-server enable

HTTP Configuration and Monitoring
Default: Device dependent
Description: This service allows the router to be monitored and configured from a web browser. SDM uses secure HTTP (HTTPS). If not used, this service should be disabled. If needed, restrict access to the router via ACLs and use HTTPS for encrypted data transfer.

(config) no ip http server
(config) no ip http secure-server

Domain Name Service (DNS)
Default: Enabled (client services)
Description: Cisco routers use 255.255.255.255 as the default address to reach a DNS server for name resolution. If not used, this service should be disabled. If needed, explicitly set the address of the DNS server.

(config) no ip domain-lookup

ICMP Redirects
Default: Enabled
Description: This service causes the router to send an ICMP redirect message when a packet is forwarded out the interface it arrived on. An attacker can use such information to redirect packets to an untrusted device. This service should be disabled when not needed.

(config) no ip icmp redirect
(config-if) no ip redirects

IP Source Routing
Default: Enabled
Description: This service allows the sender to control the route that a packet travels through a network. Such a service can permit an attacker to bypass the normal forwarding path and security mechanisms in a network. Because most network devices should not attempt to dictate their preferred path through the network, this service should be disabled.

(config)no ip source-route

Finger service
Default: Enabled
Description: The finger protocol (port 79) retrieves a list of users from a network device, which includes the line number, connection name, idle time and terminal location. Such information is also seen in the show users Cisco IOS command and can be used for reconnaissance attacks. This service should be disabled when not needed.

(config) no service finger

ICMP unreachable notification
Default: Enabled
Description: This service notifies a sender of invalid destination IP subnets or specific addresses. Such information can be used to map a network . This service should be disabled.

(config-if) no ip unreachables

ICMP mask reply
Default: Disabled
Description: This service sends the IP subnet mask when it is requested. Such information can be used to to map a network. This service should be disabled on interfaces to untrusted networks.

(config-if) no ip mask-reply

IP directed broadcasts
Default: Enabled (Enabled Cisco IOS prior to 12.0, disabled Cisco IOS later than 12.0)
Description: A directed broadcast can be used to probe or deny service to (via a DoS attack) an entire subnet. The directed broadcast packet is unicast until it reaches the router that is responsible for the segment. At that time, the packet becomes a broadcast for the specific segment. This service should be disabled.

(config-if) no ip directed-broadcast

IP identification service
Default: Enabled
Description: The identification protocol (RFC 1413) reports the identity of the TCP connection initiator. Such information can be used in reconnaissance attacks. This service should be disabled.

(config) no ip identd

TCP keepalives
Default: Disabled
Description: TCP keepalives help clean up TCP connections when a remote host has stopped processing TCP packets (such as after a reboot). This service should be enabled to help prevent certain DoS attacks.

(config) service tcp-keepalives-in
(config) service tcp-keepalives-out

Gratuitous ARP
Default: Enabled
Description: This service is the primary means used in ARP poisoning attacks. Unless needed, this service should be disabled.

(config) no ip arp gratuitous

Proxy ARP
Default: Enabled
Description: This service permits the router to resolve layer 2 addresses. This feature is only useful if the router is acting as a layer 2 bridge. Because this is unlikely in modern networks, this service should be disabled.

(config) no ip arp proxy