How do I Harden Apache server?
- Updating Your Apache.
- Turn on the Logs.
- Endeavor to Get an SSL Certificate.
- You can Add a Firewall to Boost Security.
- Install the mod_evasive.
- Setting the HTTP Limits Also Boosts Apache Security.
- Unused Modules Need to be Deleted.
- Make Changes to the Default Group and User.
- Disable the server-info Directive. ...
- Disable the server-status Directive. ...
- Disable the ServerSignature Directive. ...
- Set the ServerTokens Directive to Prod. ...
- Disable Directory Listing.
How can I improve the security of Apache web server?
You can remove which you don’t need. Allow only strong ciphers, so you close all the doors who try to handshake on lower cipher suites. As Apache is an active open-source, the easiest way to improve the security of Apache Web Server is to keep the latest version. New fixes and security patches are added in every release.
How do I check the HTTP headers of Apache web server?
Fair knowledge of Apache Web Server & UNIX command is mandatory. You require some tool to examine HTTP Headers for some of the implementation verification. There are two ways to do this. Use browser inbuilt developer tools to inspect the HTTP headers. Usually, it’s under Network tab
How to fix server version disclosure in Apache?
We can easily fix server version disclosure by following the below steps: 1. Open apache.conf 2. Save the configuration and restart Apache Even better, we can change the server name to anything else in the server header. In order to achieve this, you need to enable the mod_security module. Then add the following directives to the configuration. 3.
How to hide the version and OS details in Apache config file?
From the figure, it shows the web server is running on Apache Version 2.4.29 and on Ubuntu OS. To hide those details, add the two lines in apache config file Refresh the browser and you’ll notice the version and OS details removed as shown below:
How do I Harden Apache in Ubuntu?
Hide Apache Version and Operating System. By-default the apache version and OS are shown in the response headers as shown below. ... Disable Directory Listing and FollowSymLinks. ... Secure Apache using mod_security and mod_evasive Modules. ... Limit Request Size. ... Disable TRACE HTTP Request.
Is Apache server secure?
Apache is built to be stable and secure, but it will only be as secure as the user who configures it. Once Apache is built and installed, it's important to configure the server to be as minimal as possible.
How do I make Apache more secure by hiding a folder?
conf file for this site in /etc/apache2/sites-available (and linked it to /etc/apache2/sites-enabled). Open that . conf file in your favorite editor and in the Directory section change AllowOverride None to AllowOverride All. Save and close the file.
How do I restrict access to Apache?
Apache Restrict Access to URL by IPOpen Apache Configuration File. Apache configuration file is located at one of the following locations, depending on your Linux distribution. ... Restrict Access by IP. Let us assume you want to limit access to /product. ... Restart Apache web server. Restart Apache web server to apply changes.
How do I harden https?
Web server hardening best practicesDisable the signature. ... Log server access. ... Disable the HTTP Trace and Track requests. ... Create non-root users. ... Restrict IP access. ... Disable SSLv2 and SSLv3. ... Disable directory listing. ... Eliminate unused modules.More items...•
Does Apache have a firewall?
At the Apache level, a module named mod_security can be seen as a HTTP firewall and, provided you configure it finely enough, can help you enhance your dynamic content security.
How do I Harden Apache on CentOS 7?
How to Harden the Apache Web Server on CentOS 7Introduction.Requirements.Hide the Apache version.Turn off directory listing.Disable unnecessary modules.Disable Apache's FollowSymLinks.Turn off server-side includes (SSI) and CGI execution.Limit request size.More items...•
How do I stop indexing in Apache?
Edit your apache2 configuration file which normally is on the dir: "/etc/apache2/httpd. conf". This will disable the indexing to all the public directories.
How do I mitigate a directory browsing?
Steps to Preventing a Directory ListingGet Your Existing . htaccess File, If Any. ... Make a Backup of the . htaccess File. ... Create or Open the . htaccess File. ... Disable Indexing. Add the following line to your . ... Saving and Uploading the File. Once you're done with disabling the directory listing in the . ... Test Your Site.
How do I restrict access to Apache by IP?
Apache Restrict Access by IPOpen Apache Configuration File. Apache configuration file is located at one of the following locations, depending on your Linux distribution. ... Restrict Access by IP. Once you have opened the appropriate configuration file, look for
How do I make my Apache server accessible from outside?
Follow these steps:Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall > Advanced Settings.Right click “Inbound Rules” on the left pane.Choose “New Rule”.Choose “Port”.Choose “TCP”, and under “Specific ports” enter your port number (80).More items...•
How do I restrict access to HTTP?
To restrict access to web pages, you must place a . htaccess file in the directory to which you want to restrict access.In most cases, you will be working on a website with other people. ... Change to the directory in which you want to create a restricted directory.Create the directory you want to restrict.Create your .More items...
Why is Apache important?
Since most of us leave it to the default configuration, it can leak sensitive data regarding the web server. There are numerous web servers in the market. Apache is one of the most popular and widely used out of all of them.
Is Apache vulnerable to cyber attacks?
Apache is one of the most popular and widely used out of all of them. Because of this popularity, it is also most vulnerable to cyber-attacks. 0 reactions. By applying numerous configuration tweaks we can make Apache withstand malicious attacks up to a limit.
Disable Trace HTTP Request
The default TraceEnable on permits TRACE, which disallows any request body to accompany the request.
Disable Banner
This directive controls whether the Server response header field, which is sent back to clients, includes a description of the generic OS-type of the server as well as information about compiled-in modules.
Restrict Access to a Specific Network or IP
If you wish your site to be viewed only by specific IP address or network, you can modify your site Directory in httpd.conf
Use only TLS 1.2
SSL 2.0, 3.0, TLS 1, 1.1 reportedly suffers from several cryptographic flaws.
Disable Directory Listing
If you don’t have index.html under your WebSite Directory, the client will see all files and sub-directories listed in the browser (like ls –l output).
Disable Null and Weak Ciphers
Allow only strong ciphers, so you close all the doors who try to handshake on lower cipher suites.
Stay Current
As Apache is an active open-source, the easiest way to improve the security of Apache Web Server is to keep the latest version. New fixes and security patches are added in every release. Always upgrade to the latest stable version of Apache.
What is Apache web server?
We all are very familiar with Apache web server, it is a very popular web server to host your web files or your website on the web. Here are some links which can help you to configure Apache web server on your Linux box.
Why is Apache logging important?
It is wise to enable Apache logging, because it provides more information, such as the commands entered by users that have interacted with your Web server.
Can Apache run in its own account?
With a default installation Apache runs its process with user nobody or daemon. For security reasons it is recommended to run Apache in its own non-privileged account. For example: http-web.
Does Apache limit the size of HTTP requests?
By default Apache has no limit on the total size of the HTTP request i.e. unlimited and when you allow large requests on a web server its possible that you could be a victim of Denial of service attacks. We can Limit the requests size of an Apache directive “ LimitRequestBody ” with the directory tag.
How to run Apache as a different session?
To run apache as a different session and group check your GNU/Linux distribution instructions or UNIX flavour manuals, and create a user and a group named after what you mostly preffer. Make sure the user you create is a nologin one. Remember Apache HTTP needs to run one process as root to function. After that is done the last step is changing the user and group directives in the main configuration file: httpd.conf. If you are running Debian or derivatives this may be called apache2.conf or similar.
What port is Apache listening to?
Well, in many companies there are Apache boxes serving content inwards through port 8080, or 8088, or any other port the administrators have chosen. The security tip here is make sure the ports your Apache instance is listening to and which ones should be closed and which should be open.
Why use secure response headers?
By using secure response headers clients connecting to web servers will have an additional security layer . Sometimes servers get compromised or malicious actors get their code inside website’s content, pictures, frames, javascript code, you name it. Employing these secure headers many of current attacks such as XSS ( Cross-Site-Scripting ), clickjacking, or Javascript injection to name a few will protect users from malicious code running on their systems, information leaks, session hijacking happenning and the internet will be a bit of a safer place.
Do you have to secure Apache?
You do not only have to secure your Apache web server, but the workstation you connect to it too. Your authentication methods have to be secure, for example using ssh keys or SSL certificates. You have to have a firewall protecting your network connections.
Is Apache better than Nginx?
That said, Apache has many features developed throughout the years that Nginx lacks, which are very useful not only for small projects but for large corporations. You can also combine the two pieces, since Nginx can work as a reverse proxy or a load balancer, while Apache does its best by serving content.
Introduction
Apache is one of the most popular web servers, hence usually susceptible to hacking attacks. With default configuration which exposes sensitive information about the server, shortens the reconnaissance time for a hacker.
1. Hide Apache Version and Operating System
By-default the apache version and OS are shown in the response headers as shown below. This is a major security loophole exposing such details to the world and be used by hackers.
2. Disable Directory Listing and FollowSymLinks
By default, the directory listing for all files under web root directory is enabled if there is no index file as shown below. This allows hackers to view and analyze the files in your web server directory and maximize on the slightest available vulnerability to launch an attack.
4. Limit Request Size
By default, the HTTP request in Apache is unlimited hence web server is susceptible to DoS attacks by keeping it open for a high number of request. For example, there is a site that allows users to upload files, then it’s important to set a limit for upload size.
Conclusion
The enlisted 5 steps are the most basic security protection features to implement in your Apache web server. To add more security features, you can perform the following steps:
1. Disable the ServerSignature Directive
The ServerSignature directive includes a footer to server-produced documents. This footer contains information regarding your Apache configuration like the Apache version and the operating system (OS).
2. Disable Directory Listing
Directory listing permits you to perceive entire directory contents. In the event that this option is activated, the attacker may just uncover and view any file.
3. Disable the server-info Directive
Provided that the <Location /server-info> directive in the http.conf configuration file is activated, you may perceive information regarding the Apache configuration by accessing the /server-info page (For instance, https://www.domain/server-info).
4. Disable Particular Services
Securing Apache may involve you disabling particular services like CGI execution and symbolic links, if these are not required.
5. Set the ServerTokens Directive to Prod
The ServerTokens directive regulates the information that is returned in the Server response header field. You may deploy different syntaxes in this directive, as explained in the official Apache ServerTokens documentation.
6. Disable the server-status Directive
Once enabled, the <Location /server-status> directive enumerates information regarding server performance like current HTTP requests, client IP addresses, server uptime, and server load. The attacker could employ this information to launch a malicious attack against the web server.
7. Activate Logging
Apache logging supplies thorough information regarding client requests done on your web server, thus activating logging will assist when investigations of specific problems are required.
