STIGQter: STIG Summary: Apache Server 2.4 UNIX Site Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

Only authenticated system administrators or the designated PKI Sponsor for the Apache web server must have access to the Apache web servers private key.

DISA Rule

SV-214287r961041_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-214287

Group Title

SRG-APP-000176-WSR-000096

Rule Version

AS24-U2-000390

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000186 - For public key-based authentication, enforce authorized access to the corresponding private key.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Determine the location of the ssl.conf file:
# find / -name ssl.conf
Output: /etc/httpd/conf.d/ssl.conf

Search the ssl.conf file for the SSLCertificateKeyFile location.
# cat <path to file>/ssl.conf | grep -i SSLCertificateKeyFile
Output: SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/pki/tls/private/localhost.key

Based on the " SSLCertificateKeyFile" directive path, configure the Apache web server to ensure only authenticated and authorized users can access the web server's private key.

Permissions must be 600 or more restrictive.

Check Contents

Verify the "ssl module" module is loaded
# httpd -M | grep -i ssl_module
Output: ssl_module (shared)

If the "ssl_module" is not enabled, this is a finding.

Determine the location of the ssl.conf file:
# find / -name ssl.conf
Output: /etc/httpd/conf.d/ssl.conf

Search the ssl.conf file for the SSLCertificateKeyFile location.
# cat <path to file>/ssl.conf | grep -i SSLCertificateKeyFile
Output: SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/pki/tls/private/localhost.key

Identify the correct permission set and owner/group of the certificate key file.
# ls -laH /etc/pki/tls/private/localhost.key
Output: -rw-------. 1 root root 1675 Sep 10 2020 /etc/pki/tls/private/localhost.key

The permission set must be 600 or more restrictive and the owner/group of the key file must be accessible to only authenticated system administrator and the designated PKI Sponsor.

If the correct permissions are not set or if the private key is accessible by unauthenticated or unauthorized users, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-214287

Documentable

False

Rule Version

AS24-U2-000390

Severity Override Guidance

Verify the "ssl module" module is loaded
# httpd -M | grep -i ssl_module
Output: ssl_module (shared)

If the "ssl_module" is not enabled, this is a finding.

Determine the location of the ssl.conf file:
# find / -name ssl.conf
Output: /etc/httpd/conf.d/ssl.conf

Search the ssl.conf file for the SSLCertificateKeyFile location.
# cat <path to file>/ssl.conf | grep -i SSLCertificateKeyFile
Output: SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/pki/tls/private/localhost.key

Identify the correct permission set and owner/group of the certificate key file.
# ls -laH /etc/pki/tls/private/localhost.key
Output: -rw-------. 1 root root 1675 Sep 10 2020 /etc/pki/tls/private/localhost.key

The permission set must be 600 or more restrictive and the owner/group of the key file must be accessible to only authenticated system administrator and the designated PKI Sponsor.

If the correct permissions are not set or if the private key is accessible by unauthenticated or unauthorized users, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

3997