Review Report Of Linux Server And Answer The Following Quest

Reviewreport Of Linux Server Oldand Answer The Following Questions I

Review report of Linux Server (OLD) and answer the following questions in your response: 1. For this Linux system, what do you recommend fixing right away? Are there dangers if the vulnerabilities and associated threats are not fixed? 2. How do you fix the problem(s) identified? Can you defer mitigation for another time? How can the problem(s) be fixed if the system cannot be taken offline? Judy is considering asking the pen tester to rescan the company systems using the commercial tool, Nessus. The organization has an evaluation version that can be used for 30 days. After that, the company will need to purchase the tool. The cost is significant. 3. Since some machines were already scanned with OpenVAS, should you also consider scanning the same systems with Nessus? Why or why not? 4. Conduct open-source research using the internet. Roughly, what is the cost to license Nessus for one year?

Paper For Above instruction

The assessment of an outdated Linux server, often referred to as "OLD" in security documentation, necessitates a comprehensive review of the vulnerabilities present and immediate remediation actions. Outdated systems are particularly vulnerable to exploitation because they may lack current security patches, have deprecated features, or contain known vulnerabilities that threat actors can leverage. Addressing these issues promptly is critical to safeguard organizational data, maintain system integrity, and comply with cybersecurity standards.

Immediate Fixes and Associated Risks

The first step in dealing with an old Linux server involves identifying and fixing critical vulnerabilities. Common issues include unpatched software, insecure configurations, weak authentication mechanisms, and outdated protocols. Tools such as Nessus and OpenVAS are instrumental in scanning for such vulnerabilities. For an outdated machine, the most pressing concern is often vulnerable services that can be exploited remotely, such as outdated SSH versions, exposed web services, or unsecured API endpoints. Ignoring these vulnerabilities exposes the system to threats such as unauthorized access, data breaches, malware infections, or even full system takeover.

The dangers of neglecting these vulnerabilities are profound. Attackers may exploit unpatched software to execute malicious activities, which could lead to financial loss, reputational damage, or compliance violations. For example, the WannaCry ransomware attack leveraged outdated Windows systems; similarly, unpatched Linux services can serve as entry points for destructive exploits.

Remediation Strategies

Fixing identified vulnerabilities generally involves patch management—applying the latest security updates or patches provided by Linux distribution vendors. When immediate patching is not feasible, temporary mitigation measures such as disabling vulnerable services, adjusting firewall rules, or restricting network access can reduce exposure. For systems that cannot be taken offline, in-place upgrades or rolling patch deployment strategies, such as using configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible or Puppet), are effective.

Deferring mitigation should only be considered if it does not pose an imminent threat. In such cases, detailed documentation of vulnerabilities and scheduling regular scans are essential to ensure timely remediation. Additionally, network segmentation can isolate the outdated system from critical infrastructure, reducing potential attack impact until proper fixes are applied.

Considerations Before Rescanning with Nessus

Judy contemplates requesting a re-scan using Nessus, a popular commercial vulnerability scanner. Since the evaluation version is limited to 30 days, weighing the cost-benefit is necessary. Nessus often provides more comprehensive vulnerability detection compared to open-source tools like OpenVAS, offering better insights into the severity and exploitability of identified issues. Using Nessus could lead to a more thorough assessment, especially if the existing scans with OpenVAS identified critical vulnerabilities that require validation with a more definitive scanner.

Using Multiple Scanning Tools

Given that some systems have been scanned with OpenVAS, the question arises whether to also scan with Nessus. While redundancy can confirm findings, it also entails resource expenditure. If OpenVAS scans have been recent and comprehensive, an additional scan with Nessus might provide augmenting value, especially if Nessus includes plugins not available in OpenVAS or identifies vulnerabilities that were missed. Conversely, if OpenVAS scans are recent and thorough, the organizational decision might lean towards prioritizing remediation rather than additional scans.

Cost Considerations for Nessus Licensing

When considering licensing costs, open-source research indicates that Nessus offers various pricing models depending on the organization's needs. The annual license for Nessus Professional, suitable for individual or small teams, typically costs around $2,990 USD per year. Larger organizations requiring multiple licenses or enterprise-grade solutions will find tiered pricing, often reducing the per-license cost at scale. The significant cost underscores the importance of assessing whether the perceived benefits in vulnerability detection accuracy justify the expenditure, especially after the free evaluation period ends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, prioritizing the immediate fixing of critical vulnerabilities on the outdated Linux server is essential to mitigate potential threats. Using vulnerability scanners like Nessus and OpenVAS in tandem can enhance the understanding of system weaknesses, with considerations made for cost and resource allocation. Ultimately, a proactive and strategic approach combining regular patching, risk assessment, and judicious use of scanning tools will strengthen the organization's security posture.

References

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  • United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT). (2021). Managing out-of-date systems. https://us-cert.cisa.gov/system-management
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