5.2.22 Ensure SSH MaxSessions is limited

Information

The MaxSessions parameter specifies the maximum number of open sessions permitted from a given connection.

To protect a system from denial of service due to a large number of concurrent sessions, use the rate limiting function of MaxSessions to protect availability of sshd logins and prevent overwhelming the daemon.

Solution

Edit the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file to set the parameter as follows:

MaxSessions 10

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/8498

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT, SYSTEM AND SERVICES ACQUISITION

References: 800-53|CM-2, 800-53|CM-6, 800-53|CM-7, 800-53|CM-7(1), 800-53|CM-9, 800-53|SA-3, 800-53|SA-8, 800-53|SA-10, CSCv7|5.1

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 4ca3fe150f1739376b30b32fb19971de6dc7e00cce0f7d43a4a781e3055b6127