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List of Compreshive Checklist to do Security Audit in XAMPP server

October 10, 2023 Leave a Comment

Conducting a security audit on a XAMPP server is crucial, especially if you’re considering moving a local development environment to a production setting. XAMPP is primarily designed for development purposes and isn’t meant to be secure for production out of the box. Here’s a comprehensive checklist for a security audit on a XAMPP server:

General

  • Check the XAMPP version. Make sure that you are using the latest version of XAMPP. This will help to ensure that you have the latest security patches installed.
  • Check the permissions on your XAMPP folders. Make sure that the permissions on your XAMPP folders are set correctly. This will help to prevent unauthorized access to your files.
  • Change the default XAMPP passwords. The default passwords for the XAMPP MySQL database and phpMyAdmin are both “root”. It is important to change these passwords to something more secure.
  • Disable unused XAMPP services. If you are not using a particular XAMPP service, such as the mail server or the FTP server, it is best to disable it. This will help to reduce the attack surface of your server.
  • Install a web application firewall (WAF). A WAF can help to protect your website from common web attacks, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
  • Keep your software up to date. Make sure that all of the software on your XAMPP server is up to date. This includes the XAMPP server itself, as well as the MySQL database, PHP, and any other software that you are using.
  • Run a vulnerability scanner. A vulnerability scanner can help to identify any known vulnerabilities in your XAMPP server. There are a number of free and paid vulnerability scanners available.
  • Regularly back up your data. It is important to regularly back up your data, in case of a security breach or other disaster. You can back up your data to an external hard drive, a cloud storage service, or both.
  • Monitor your XAMPP server logs for suspicious activity. You can use a log monitoring tool to help you identify any suspicious activity on your server.
  • Have a plan in place for responding to a security breach. If your server is hacked, it is important to have a plan in place for how you will respond. This plan should include steps for containing the damage, notifying affected users, and recovering your data.

Additional recommendations

  • Use a strong password for your XAMPP server. Your password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your XAMPP server. 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your login by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password.
  • Restrict access to your XAMPP server. Only allow trusted users to access your XAMPP server. You can do this by using a firewall to block access from unauthorized IP addresses.
  • Use a secure connection to access your XAMPP server. If you are accessing your XAMPP server remotely, use a secure connection such as SSH or HTTPS.
  • Keep your antivirus and firewall software up to date. Make sure that your antivirus and firewall software are up to date and configured correctly. This will help to protect your server from known malware and attacks.

General Principles:

  1. Usage Justification: Ensure there’s a valid reason to use XAMPP in a production setting. There are more secure and tailored solutions for production environments.
  2. Keep Updated: Ensure all components (Apache, MariaDB, PHP, etc.) are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Apache:

  1. Disable Unused Modules: Deactivate any modules that aren’t necessary for your application.
  2. Restrict Directory Listings: Ensure that Options -Indexes is set for your web directories.
  3. Directory & File Permissions: Ensure correct permissions on directories and files. Avoid 777 permissions.
  4. ServerTokens & ServerSignature: Set ServerTokens Prod and ServerSignature Off to minimize server version disclosure.
  5. Use .htaccess: Use .htaccess files for added security restrictions where needed.

MariaDB/MySQL:

  1. Root Password: Set a strong root password for MariaDB/MySQL.
  2. Remote Access: Disable remote access to the database or restrict it to specific IPs.
  3. Remove Test Databases: XAMPP comes with test databases. Ensure they are deleted.
  4. Limit User Privileges: Ensure database users only have the privileges they need and no more.
  5. Use Prepared Statements: Protect against SQL injections by using prepared statements or stored procedures.

PHP:

  1. Disable Dangerous Functions: Functions like exec, passthru, shell_exec, etc., should be disabled using the disable_functions directive in php.ini.
  2. Error Reporting: Turn off detailed error reporting in php.ini to prevent information disclosure.
  3. Expose PHP: Set expose_php=off in php.ini to hide PHP version info.
  4. File Uploads: If not needed, set file_uploads=Off. If uploads are necessary, ensure they are handled securely.
  5. Use Latest PHP Version: Older versions might have vulnerabilities.

FTP (if using):

  1. Use SFTP: Always prefer SFTP over FTP due to its encrypted nature.
  2. Strong Passwords: Ensure strong passwords are set for all FTP accounts.
  3. Restrict Access: If possible, restrict FTP access to specific IP addresses.

Additional Considerations:

  1. Firewall: Ensure a firewall is active and only necessary ports are open.
  2. Backup: Regularly back up your XAMPP setup and databases.
  3. SSL: If your application is web-accessible, use SSL (HTTPS). You can get free certificates from Let’s Encrypt.
  4. Monitoring & Logging: Monitor server logs for any suspicious activity. Use tools to automatically scan and notify you of potential threats.
  5. Antivirus & Malware Scans: Regularly scan your server for viruses and malware.
Rajesh Kumar
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