5.2.7 Ensure SSH HostbasedAuthentication is disabled (Scored)
Profile Applicability
Level 1 - Server Level 1 - Workstation
Description
The HostbasedAuthentication
parameter specifies if authentication is allowed through trusted hosts via the user of .rhosts
, or /etc/hosts.equiv
, along with successful public key client host authentication. This option only applies to SSH Protocol Version 2.
Rationale
Even though the .rhosts
files are ineffective if support is disabled in /etc/pam.conf
, disabling the ability to use .rhosts
files in SSH provides an additional layer of protection.
Audit
Run the following command and verify that output matches:
# grep "^HostbasedAuthentication" /etc/ssh/sshd_config HostbasedAuthentication no
Remediation
Edit the /etc/ssh/sshd_config
file to set the parameter as follows:
HostbasedAuthentication no