3.5.3.2.5 Ensure iptables rules are saved

Information

The iptables-services package includes the /etc/sysconfig/iptables file. The iptables rules in this file will be loaded by the iptables.service during boot, or when it is started or re-loaded.

Rationale:

If the iptables rules are not saved and a system re-boot occurs, the iptables rules will be lost.

Solution

Run the following commands to create or update the /etc/sysconfig/iptables file:
Run the following command to review the current running iptables configuration:

# iptables -L

Output should include:

Chain INPUT (policy DROP)
target prot opt source destination
ACCEPT all -- anywhere anywhere
DROP all -- loopback/8 anywhere
ACCEPT tcp -- anywhere anywhere state ESTABLISHED
ACCEPT udp -- anywhere anywhere state ESTABLISHED
ACCEPT icmp -- anywhere anywhere state ESTABLISHED
ACCEPT tcp -- anywhere anywhere tcp dpt:ssh state NEW

Chain FORWARD (policy DROP)
target prot opt source destination

Chain OUTPUT (policy DROP)
target prot opt source destination
ACCEPT all -- anywhere anywhere
ACCEPT tcp -- anywhere anywhere state NEW,ESTABLISHED
ACCEPT udp -- anywhere anywhere state NEW,ESTABLISHED
ACCEPT icmp -- anywhere anywhere state NEW,ESTABLISHED

Run the following command to save the verified running configuration to the file /etc/sysconfig/iptables:

# service iptables save

iptables: Saving firewall rules to /etc/sysconfig/iptables:[ OK ]

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2851

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 7e08da967db9c74c1955702790c6c29640f515f6aa88033bbd2c7ff7f38e8541