Cis Ubuntu2004 V300 3 3 10

---
name: cis-ubuntu2004-v300-3-3-10
description: "Ensure tcp syn cookies is enabled"
category: cis-networking
version: "3.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-20.04, kernel-parameter]
cis_id: "3.3.10"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0"
tech_stack: [ubuntu, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---

# 3.3.10 Ensure tcp syn cookies is enabled (Automated)

## Profile

- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation

## Description

When `tcp_syncookies` is set, the kernel will handle TCP SYN packets normally until the half-open connection queue is full, at which time, the SYN cookie functionality kicks in. SYN cookies work by not using the SYN queue at all. Instead, the kernel simply replies to the SYN with a SYN/ACK, but will include a specially crafted TCP sequence number that encodes the source and destination IP address and port number and the time the packet was sent. A legitimate connection would send the ACK packet of the three way handshake with the specially crafted sequence number. This allows the system to verify that it has received a valid response to a SYN cookie and allow the connection, even though there is no corresponding SYN in the queue.

## Rationale

Attackers use SYN flood attacks to perform a denial of service attacked on a system by sending many SYN packets without completing the three way handshake. This will quickly use up slots in the kernel's half-open connection queue and prevent legitimate connections from succeeding. Setting `net.ipv4.tcp_syncookies` to 1 enables SYN cookies, allowing the system to keep accepting valid connections, even if under a denial of service attack.

## Impact

None expected.

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

Run the following script to verify the following kernel parameter is set in the running configuration and correctly loaded from a kernel parameter configuration file:

- `net.ipv4.tcp_syncookies` is set to 1

Note: kernel parameters are loaded by file and parameter order precedence. The following script observes this precedence as part of the auditing procedure. The parameters being checked may be set correctly in a file. If that file is superseded, the parameter is overridden by an incorrect setting later in that file, or in a canonically later file, that "correct" setting will be ignored both by the script and by the system during a normal kernel parameter load sequence.

## Expected Result

Audit Result: ** PASS ** with `net.ipv4.tcp_syncookies` set to 1.

## Remediation

### Command Line

Set the following parameter in `/etc/sysctl.conf` or a file in `/etc/sysctl.d/` ending in `.conf`:

- `net.ipv4.tcp_syncookies = 1`

Example:

```bash
# printf '%s\n' "net.ipv4.tcp_syncookies = 1" >> /etc/sysctl.d/60-netipv4_sysctl.conf
```

Run the following script to set the active kernel parameters:

```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash

{
  sysctl -w net.ipv4.tcp_syncookies=1
  sysctl -w net.ipv4.route.flush=1
}
```

Note: If these settings appear in a canonically later file, or later in the same file, these settings will be overwritten.

## Default Value

net.ipv4.tcp_syncookies = 1

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: CM-1,CM-2, CM-6, CM-7, IA-5
2. STIG ID: UBTU-20-010412 | Rule ID: SV-238333r958528 | CAT II
3. STIG ID: UBTU-22-253010 | Rule ID: SV-260522r958528 | CAT II

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                                                         | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 4.8 Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Services on Enterprise Assets and Software |      | x    | x    |
| v7               | 9.2 Ensure Only Approved Ports, Protocols and Services Are Running              |      | x    | x    |