4.5.4.2 /etc/mail/sendmail.cf - PrivacyOptions

Information

The recommendation is to ensure that PrivacyOptions includes at least three settings:

authwarnings (a default)

novrfy

noexpn

Rationale:

The sendmail deamon has a history of security vulnerabilities. The recommendation is to modify default sendmail settings that otherwise may provide information that can be used by an attacker.

novrfy: No Verify: do not verify valid email addresses. This can be used by attackers, e.g., phishing attacks.

noexpn: no expansion: do not verify/expand email list addresses - providing attackers with a list of valid email addresses.

Solution

Create a backup copy of /etc/mail/sendmail.cf:

cp -p /etc/mail/sendmail.cf /etc/mail/sendmail.cf.pre_cis

Edit:

vi /etc/mail/sendmail.cf

Replace:

O PrivacyOptions=authwarnings

With:

O PrivacyOptions=authwarnings,noexpn,novrfy

Or - append
noexpn,novrfy
at then end of the current PrivacyOptions settings (assuming authwarnings is already included).

Default Value:

SmtpGreetingMessage=$j Sendmail $b

Additional Information:

Reversion:

Copy back the original /etc/sendmail.cf file:

cp -p /etc/mail/sendmail.cf.pre_cis /etc/mail/sendmail.cf

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/13069

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-7b.

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 6be8eb96e10a6c0003b8f5369304b6b08872bfc374ad5411230fff9480f12df8