Do Not Enable the Avahi Service

Avahi is a zero-configuration networking implementation, including a system for multicast DNS/DNS-SD service discovery and automatic broadcast. For example, you can connect a server to the network and use Avahi to automatically broadcast network services running on the server for other user to...

Avoid Enabling Unnecessary Services and Ports

In the zones, you need to specify the interfaces, ports, and services that need to be enabled or disabled. Correct configuration prevents illegitimate packets from being received and processed, reduces the number of exposed ports on the server, and reduces the attack surface. If the configuration...

Do Not Install Insecure SNMP Versions

Simple Network Management Protocol SNMP is a standard protocol designed to manage network nodes in IP networks. This protocol allows the exchange of network management and control data between network elements NEs. If SNMP is installed in scenarios where SNMP is not required, additional system...

Configure at and cron Services Properly

The at service is used to execute simple tasks once, and the cron service is used to execute periodic and scheduled tasks. In the cron command, the /etc/cron.deny file is the blocklist configuration file, and the /etc/cron.allow file is the allowlist configuration file, which is absent by default...

Do Not Use auditctl to Set auditd Rules

auditd service rules can be configured using either rule files in the /etc/audit/rules.d/ directory applied after server restart or the auditctl command for immediate effect. The permission of the /etc/audit/rules.d/ directory is 750, while that of the auditctl command is 755. Therefore,...

Do Not Enable the LDAP Service

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol LDAP is a protocol that provides access control and is used to maintain distributed directory information. The LDAP service increases system resource usage and expands the attack surface. If the LDAP service is not required, do not install the LDAP service. T...

Security Misconfiguration Detected (Critical)

Security misconfigurations present a risk of increased attack surface by allowing malicious entities to communicate with the target assets. This plugin only works with Tenable.ot. Please visit https://www.tenable.com/products/tenable-ot for more information. %NASLMINLEVEL 80900 C Tenable, Inc...

Security Misconfiguration Detected (High)

Security misconfigurations present a risk of increased attack surface by allowing malicious entities to communicate with the target assets. This plugin only works with Tenable.ot. Please visit https://www.tenable.com/products/tenable-ot for more information. %NASLMINLEVEL 80900 C Tenable, Inc...

Security Misconfiguration Detected (Low)

Security misconfigurations present a risk of increased attack surface by allowing malicious entities to communicate with the target assets. This plugin only works with Tenable.ot. Please visit https://www.tenable.com/products/tenable-ot for more information. %NASLMINLEVEL 80900 C Tenable, Inc...

Unlocking User-Oriented Pages: Intention-Driven Black-Box Scanner for Real-World Web Applications

Black-box scanners have played a significant role in detecting vulnerabilities for web applications. A key focus in current black-box scanning is increasing test coverage i.e., accessing more web pages. However, since many web applications are user-oriented, some deep pages can only be accessed...

Guard Against GenAI and LLM Risks from Development to Deployment with Qualys TotalAI

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the enterprise. From automating customer service to accelerating code generation, large language models LLMs are rapidly becoming embedded in how businesses operate and compete. But as organizations embrace this innovation, they are also opening...

Biting the CHERI Bullet: Blockers, Enablers and Security Implications of CHERI in Defence

There is growing interest in securing the hardware foundations software stacks build upon. However, before making any investment decision, software and hardware supply chain stakeholders require evidence from realistic, multiple long-term studies of adoption. We present results from a 12 month...

The vulnerability of ConneXium Network Manager software, related to insufficient validation of input data, allows attackers to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of protected information.

The vulnerability of ConneXium Network Manager software relates to insufficient verification of input data. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of the protected information...

You Can’t Secure What You Can’t See: The Real Pain CAASM Solves

Running short on time but still want to stay in the know? Well, we’ve got you covered! We’ve condensed all the key takeaways into a handy audio summary. Our AI-driven podcasts are fit for on the go. Click right here to hear it all! Let’s cut through the marketing haze for a moment. There’s a reas...

API Security Is Key to Cyber Resilience in Media and Entertainment

For media and entertainment companies, API expansion means a broader attack surface. Security needs to stay a step ahead...

KubeFence: Security Hardening of the Kubernetes Attack Surface

Kubernetes K8s is widely used to orchestrate containerized applications, including critical services in domains such as finance, healthcare, and government. However, its extensive and feature-rich API interface exposes a broad attack surface, making K8s vulnerable to exploits of software...

The API Security Challenge in AI: Preventing Resource Exhaustion and Unauthorized Access

Agentic AI is transforming business. Organizations are increasingly integrating AI agents into core business systems and processes, using them as intermediaries between users and these internal systems. As a result, these organizations are improving efficiency, automating routine tasks, and drivi...

2025 Ransomware: Business as Usual, Business is Booming

Getting an edge on your adversaries involves understanding their behaviors and their mindset. Rapid7 Labs took a look at internal and publicly-available ransomware data for Q1 2025 and added our own insights to provide a picture of the year thus far—and what you can do now to reduce your attack...

How SSL Misconfigurations Impact Your Attack Surface

When assessing an organization's external attack surface, encryption-related issues especially SSL misconfigurations receive special attention. Why? Their widespread use, configuration complexity, and visibility to attackers as well as users make them more likely to be exploited. This highlights...

Seeing The Whole Picture: A Better Way To Manage Your Attack Surface

Do you trust your view of your organization’s risk? With cloud adoption, remote work, shadow IT, and AI, security teams face an overwhelming challenge: scoping their attack surface and continuously discovering all assets and exposures before threats emerge. This aligns with the critical first ste...