2.5 Ensure the Autoindex Module Is Disabled

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Information

The Apache 'autoindex' module automatically generates web page listing the contents of directories on the server, typically used so that an 'index.html' does not have to be generated.

Rationale:

Automated directory listings should not be enabled as it will also reveal information helpful to an attacker such as naming conventions and directory paths. Directory listings may also reveal files that were not intended to be revealed.

Solution

Perform either one of the following to disable the 'mod_autoindex' module:

1. For source builds with static modules, run the Apache './configure' script with the '--disable-autoindex' configure script options

$ cd $DOWNLOAD_HTTPD
$ ./configure -disable-autoindex

2. For dynamically loaded modules, comment out or remove the 'LoadModule' directive for 'mod_autoindex' from the 'httpd.conf' file.

## LoadModule autoindex_module modules/mod_autoindex.so

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2381

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-7, CSCv6|18, CSCv7|5.1

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: a3f386bc89a122bfb011c4290ab673f06bbbdf52e4212f22e6daadd68cebde75