5.3.16 Ensure only strong Key Exchange algorithms are used - weak algorithms

Information

Key exchange is any method in cryptography by which cryptographic keys are exchanged between two parties, allowing use of a cryptographic algorithm. If the sender and receiver wish to exchange encrypted messages, each must be equipped to encrypt messages to be sent and decrypt messages received

Note: Some organizations may have stricter requirements for approved Key Exchange algorithms. Ensure that Key Exchange algorithms used are in compliance with site policy.

Rationale:

Key exchange methods that are considered weak should be removed. A key exchange method may be weak because too few bits are used or the hashing algorithm is considered too weak. Using weak algorithms could expose connections to man-in-the-middle attacks

Solution

Edit the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file add/modify the KexAlgorithms line to contain a comma separated list of the site approved key exchange algorithms
Example:

KexAlgorithms [email protected],ecdh-sha2-nistp521,ecdh-sha2-nistp384,ecdh-sha2-nistp256,diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha256

Default Value:

kexalgorithms [email protected],ecdh-sha2-nistp256,ecdh-sha2-nistp384,ecdh-sha2-nistp521,diffie-hellman-group-exchange-sha256,diffie-hellman-group14-sha1

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3219

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-8, CSCv7|14.4

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 989f35fc9b2e1730d88ecf6f61952b29ccd5b9225cf2376717f2b99a3c832b46