VMware Smart Assurance NCM : Vulnerability "HSTS Missing From HTTPS Server" reported on NCM application server port 8880.

Products

• VMware Smart Assurance

Issue/Introduction

Configuration changes suggested in this article is to mitigate "HSTS Missing From HTTPS Server (RFC 6797)" vulnerability in NCM application server (over port 8880 & 443) and device server (port 443). 

Symptoms:
Vulnerability https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/142960 "HSTS Missing From HTTPS Server" is found in NCM application server for port 443 & 8880; NCM device server over port 443. 

Environment

VMware Smart Assurance - NCM

Resolution

Steps recommended to address "HSTS missing from HTTPS" over port 8880 in application server installation:
A) Modify default the $VOYENCE_HOME/ncmcore/conf/web.xml NCM 10.1.x installation with below parameters:

From-
<!--
  <filter>
    <filter-name>httpHeaderSecurity</filter-name>
    <filter-class>org.apache.catalina.filters.HttpHeaderSecurityFilter</filter-class>
    <async-supported>true</async-supported>
  </filter>
-->

Change web.xml to-
<filter>
    <filter-name>httpHeaderSecurity</filter-name>
    <filter-class>org.apache.catalina.filters.HttpHeaderSecurityFilter</filter-class>
    <async-supported>true</async-supported>
    <init-param>
        <param-name>hstsEnabled</param-name>
        <param-value>true</param-value>
    </init-param>
    <init-param>
        <param-name>hstsMaxAgeSeconds</param-name>
        <param-value>31536000</param-value>
    </init-param>
    <init-param>
     <param-name>hstsIncludeSubDomains</param-name>
         <param-value>true</param-value>
           </init-param>
         <init-param>
          <param-name>hstsPreload</param-name>
         <param-value>true</param-value>
            </init-param>
            <init-param>
        <param-name>xssProtectionEnabled</param-name>
        <param-value>true</param-value>
    </init-param>
  </filter>
  <filter-mapping>
    <filter-name>httpHeaderSecurity</filter-name>
    <url-pattern>/*</url-pattern>
    <dispatcher>REQUEST</dispatcher>
  </filter-mapping>

B) Execute command "service ncm-as restart" in application server. 

Steps recommended to address "HSTS missing from HTTPS" over port 443 in application server installation (this fix specifically is included from NCM 10.x onward):
A) Open $VOYENCE_HOME/conf/httpd.conf (keep a backup of this file in non-NCM installation path prior to making any changes) file in application server. 

B) Add below line at end of the file: 
Header set Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000" env=HTTPS

C) Execute command "service ncm-as restart" in application server. 

Steps recommended to address "HSTS missing from HTTPS" over port 443 in device server installation: 
A) Add below three lines at end of $VOYENCE_HOME/conf/httpd.conf file in device server-

Header always append X-Frame-Options SAMEORIGIN
Header always set X-XSS-Protection "1; mode=block"
Header always set Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000" env=HTTPS

B) Execute "service vcmaster restart" in device server.