Ensure ipv6 router advertisements are not accepted
Scanned 5/30/2026
Install via CLI
openskills install CyberStrikeus/CyberStrike---
name: cis-ubuntu2004-v300-3-3-11
description: "Ensure ipv6 router advertisements are not accepted"
category: cis-networking
version: "3.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-20.04, kernel-parameter]
cis_id: "3.3.11"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0"
tech_stack: [ubuntu, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---
# 3.3.11 Ensure ipv6 router advertisements are not accepted (Automated)
## Profile
- Level 1 - Server
- Level 1 - Workstation
## Description
Routers periodically multicast Router Advertisement messages to announce their availability and convey information to neighboring nodes that enable them to be automatically configured on the network.
`net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra` and `net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra` determine the systems ability to accept these advertisements.
## Rationale
It is recommended that systems do not accept router advertisements as they could be tricked into routing traffic to compromised machines. Setting hard routes within the system (usually a single default route to a trusted router) protects the system from bad routes. Setting `net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra` and `net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra` to 0 disables the system's ability to accept IPv6 router advertisements.
## Impact
None expected.
## Audit Procedure
### Command Line
Run the following script to verify the following kernel parameters are set in the running configuration and correctly loaded from a kernel parameter configuration file:
- `net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra` is set to 0
- `net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra` is set to 0
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 If that file is superseded, the parameter is overridden by an incorrect setting later in that file, or in a canonically later file, that "correct" setting will be ignored both by the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.
- IPv6 kernel parameters only apply to systems where IPv6 is enabled
## Expected Result
Audit Result: ** PASS ** with both `net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra` and `net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra` set to 0 (or IPv6 disabled on the system).
## Remediation
### Command Line
- IF - IPv6 is enabled on the system:
Set the following parameters in `/etc/sysctl.conf` or a file in `/etc/sysctl.d/` ending in `.conf`:
- `net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra = 0`
- `net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra = 0`
Example:
```bash
# printf '%s\n' "net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra = 0" "net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra = 0" >> /etc/sysctl.d/60-
netipv6_sysctl.conf
```
Run the following script to set the active kernel parameters:
```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash
{
sysctl -w net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra=0
sysctl -w net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra=0
sysctl -w net.ipv6.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.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra = 1
net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra = 1
## References
1. NIST SP 800-53 :: CM-6 b
2. NIST SP 800-53A :: CM-6.1 (iv)
3. RHEL 8 STIG Vul ID: V-230541
4. RHEL 8 STIG Rule ID: SV-230541r858812
5. RHEL 8 STIG Vul ID: V-230542
6. RHEL 8 STIG Rule ID: SV-230542r858814
## 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 |
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