Cis Ubuntu2004 V300 4 4 2 1

---
name: cis-ubuntu2004-v300-4-4-2-1
description: "Ensure iptables default deny firewall policy"
category: cis-networking
version: "3.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, ubuntu, linux, ubuntu-20.04, firewall, iptables]
cis_id: "4.4.2.1"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0"
tech_stack: [ubuntu, linux]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---

# CIS Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS Benchmark v3.0.0 - Control 4.4.2.1

## Profile

- **Level:** Level 1 - Server, Level 1 - Workstation
- **Assessment Status:** Automated

## Description

A default deny all policy on connections ensures that any unconfigured network usage will be rejected.

Notes:

- Changing firewall settings while connected over network can result in being locked out of the system
- Remediation will only affect the active system firewall, be sure to configure the default policy in your firewall management to apply on boot as well

## Rationale

With a default accept policy the firewall will accept any packet that is not configured to be denied. It is easier to allow list acceptable usage than to deny list unacceptable usage.

## Audit Procedure

### Command Line

Run the following command and verify that the policy for the INPUT, OUTPUT, and FORWARD chains is DROP or REJECT:

```bash
iptables -L -n
```

```
Chain INPUT (policy DROP)
Chain FORWARD (policy DROP)
Chain OUTPUT (policy DROP)
```

## Expected Result

```
Chain INPUT (policy DROP)
Chain FORWARD (policy DROP)
Chain OUTPUT (policy DROP)
```

## Remediation

### Command Line

Run the following commands to implement a default DROP policy:

```bash
iptables -P INPUT DROP
iptables -P OUTPUT DROP
iptables -P FORWARD DROP
```

## Default Value

Not applicable.

## References

1. NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: CA-9, SC-7

## CIS Controls

v8 - 4.4 Implement and Manage a Firewall on Servers
v8 - 4.5 Implement and Manage a Firewall on End-User Devices
v7 - 9.4 Apply Host-based Firewalls or Port Filtering

MITRE ATT&CK Mappings: T1562, T1562.004 | TA0011 | M1031, M1037