Lucene search
+L

Disable the TCP Forwarding Function of SSH

🗓️ 07 May 2025 00:00:00Reported by Copyright (C) 2025 Greenbone AGType 
openvas
 openvas
🔗 plugins.openvas.org👁 4 Views

Disabling TCP Forwarding in SSH restricts data transmission and reduces security risks and abuse.

Code
# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2025 Greenbone AG
# Some text descriptions might be excerpted from (a) referenced
# source(s), and are Copyright (C) by the respective right holder(s).
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only

# ------------------------------------------------------------------
# METADATA
# ------------------------------------------------------------------

if(description)
{
  script_oid("1.3.6.1.4.1.25623.1.0.130323");
  script_version("2025-11-21T05:40:28+0000");
  script_tag(name:"last_modification", value:"2025-11-21 05:40:28 +0000 (Fri, 21 Nov 2025)");
  script_tag(name:"creation_date", value:"2025-05-07 11:44:19 +0000 (Wed, 07 May 2025)");
  script_tag(name:"cvss_base", value:"0.0");
  script_tag(name:"cvss_base_vector", value:"AV:L/AC:H/Au:S/C:N/I:N/A:N");
  script_tag(name:"qod", value:"97");

  script_name("Disable the TCP Forwarding Function of SSH");

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright("Copyright (C) 2025 Greenbone AG");
  script_family("Policy");
  script_dependencies("compliance_tests.nasl", "compliance_os_check.nasl");

  script_mandatory_keys("Compliance/Launch", "policy/ssh/login/euleros_openeuler_hce");

  script_xref(name:"Policy", value:"EulerOS Baseline: openEuler Security Configuration Baseline (v1.0.0): 3. Running and Services: 3.3 SSH: 3.3.21 Disable the TCP Forwarding Function of SSH (Requirement)");
  script_xref(name:"Policy", value:"HCE Linux (Huawei Cloud EulerOS): openEuler Security Configuration Baseline (v1.0.0): 3. Running and Services: 3.3 SSH: 3.3.21 Disable the TCP Forwarding Function of SSH (Requirement)");
  script_xref(name:"Policy", value:"openEuler Baseline: openEuler Security Configuration Baseline (v1.0.0): 3. Running and Services: 3.3 SSH: 3.3.21 Disable the TCP Forwarding Function of SSH (Requirement)");

  script_tag(name:"summary", value:"Setting AllowTcpForwarding to no disables the SSH client from
performing TCP port forwarding. TCP port forwarding is a function of transmitting data between a
local host and a remote host through an SSH tunnel. By disabling this function, you can restrict
the data transmission and access scope of users in SSH sessions to enhance system security.

The impacts of the configuration are as follows:

1. Restricting data transmission: Disabling TCP port forwarding prevents users from transmitting
data in SSH sessions, reducing possible data leakage risks.
2. Reducing the attack surface: Enabling TCP port forwarding may introduce some security risks, for
example, allowing attackers to evade network security measures or access restricted services.
Disabling this function can reduce the attack surface of the system.
3. Avoiding resource abuse: TCP port forwarding may occupy server resources and bandwidth.
Disabling TCP port forwarding can prevent resource abuse.
4. Compliance with security best practices: In some cases, such as environments with high security
requirements, disabling TCP port forwarding may be one of the security best practices.");

  exit(0);
}

include("ssh_func.inc");
include("host_details.inc");
include("policy_reporting_module.inc");

title = "Disable the TCP Forwarding Function of SSH";

solution = "Open the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file, and modify or add the AllowTcpForwarding
configuration as follows:

# vim /etc/ssh/sshd_config
AllowTcpForwarding no
# systemctl restart sshd";

check_type = "SSH_Cmd";

action = 'Run the command in the terminal:
# sshd -T -C user=root -C host="$(hostname)" -C addr=$"(grep $(hostname)) /etc/hosts" | grep "allowtcpforwarding"';

expected_value = 'The output should be equal to "allowtcpforwarding no"';

# ------------------------------------------------------------------
# CONNECTION CHECK
# ------------------------------------------------------------------

if(!get_kb_item("login/SSH/success") || !sock = ssh_login_or_reuse_connection()){

  report_ssh_error(title: title,
                   solution: solution,
                   action: action,
                   expected_value: expected_value,
                   check_type: check_type);
  exit(0);
}

# ------------------------------------------------------------------
# CHECK : Verify command sshd -T -C user=root -C host="$(hostname)" -C addr=$"(grep $(hostname)) /etc/hosts" | grep "allowtcpforwarding"
# ------------------------------------------------------------------

step_cmd = 'sshd -T -C user=root -C host="$(hostname)" -C addr=$"(grep $(hostname)) /etc/hosts" | grep "allowtcpforwarding"';
actual_value = ssh_cmd(socket:sock, cmd:step_cmd, return_errors:TRUE, return_linux_errors_only:TRUE);

if(eregmatch(string: actual_value, pattern:"(No such file or directory|Permission denied|Command not found|Segmentation fault|service not found|is not running|syntax error near unexpected token|syntax error: unexpected end of file)", icase: TRUE)){
  compliant = "incomplete";
  comment = "Something went wrong during the audit check. Please try again.";
}else if(actual_value == 'allowtcpforwarding no'){
  compliant = "yes";
  comment = "Check passed";
}else{
  compliant = "no";
  comment = "Check failed";
}

# ------------------------------------------------------------------
# REPORT
# ------------------------------------------------------------------

target = get_kb_item("policy/ssh/login/os-release");
comment = "Target: " + target + "\n" + comment;

report_audit(action: action,
             actual_value: actual_value,
             expected_value: expected_value,
             is_compliant: compliant,
             solution: solution,
             check_type: check_type,
             title: title,
             comment: comment);

exit(0);

Data

Build on a solid foundation with Vulners data

We provide the essential building blocks for cybersecurity solutions with comprehensive, structured, and constantly updated vulnerability and exploits data

Api

Power your application with Vulners API

The Vulners REST API offers reliable, high-performance access to vulnerability intelligence, with 99.9% SLA uptime and CDN-backed data delivery for seamless global access

App

Assess and manage vulnerabilities with Vulners tools

Built on top of Vulners' database and SDK, end-user solutions give security professionals and developers lightweight and powerful tools for vulnerability remediation