CISC-RT-000380 - The Cisco perimeter switch must be configured to have Proxy ARP disabled on all external interfaces.

Information

When Proxy ARP is enabled on a switch, it allows that switch to extend the network (at Layer 2) across multiple interfaces (LAN segments). Because proxy ARP allows hosts from different LAN segments to look like they are on the same segment, proxy ARP is only safe when used between trusted LAN segments.

Attackers can leverage the trusting nature of proxy ARP by spoofing a trusted host and then intercepting packets. Proxy ARP should always be disabled on switch interfaces that do not require it unless the switch is being used as a LAN bridge.

NOTE: Nessus has provided the target output to assist in reviewing the benchmark to ensure target compliance.

Solution

Disable Proxy ARP on all external interfaces as shown in the example below:

SW1(config)#int g0/1
SW1(config-if)#no ip proxy-arp

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_Cisco_IOS_Switch_Y24M10_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-7(11), CAT|II, CCI|CCI-002403, Rule-ID|SV-220451r856242_rule, STIG-ID|CISC-RT-000380, STIG-Legacy|SV-110749, STIG-Legacy|V-101645, Vuln-ID|V-220451

Plugin: Cisco

Control ID: 3ae1f1bc7b21bc052598f1da53e11fd7a14ec39ca927de6ba16b2207dd5ba00f