Ensure 'Master Key Passphrase' is set

MediumLevel 1Automatedcisco-asa

Description

Defines the master key passphrase used to encrypt the application secret-keys contained in the configuration file for software releases from 8.3(1) and above. For ASA software releases from 8.3 and below, the VPN preshared keys, Tacacs+/Radius shared keys or Routing protocols authentication passwords are encrypted in the running-configuration once generated. 'password encryption aes' is only accepted once a master key passphrase is set. Audited against the output of 'show running-config' (run 'terminal pager 0' first; 'more system:running-config' also works and shows unmasked secrets).

How it is checked

Audit method: Configuration pattern

Pattern: (?m)^password encryption aes\s*$

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

! - Step 1: Set the master key passphrase with the following command: key config-key password-encryption <passphrase> The passphrase is between 8 and 128 characters long - Step 2: Enable the AES encryption of existing keys of the running-configuration password encryption aes - Step 3: Run the following for the encryption of keys in the startup-configuration write memory

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: cisco-asanetworkhardening
Reference: CIS Cisco ASA 9.x Firewall Benchmark v1.1.0 - 1.1.3 Ensure 'Master Key Passphrase' is set

Check this host

Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.

shell

tmaegis scan --target cisco-asa