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Set SSH Client Alive Count Max

An XCCDF Rule

Description

The SSH server sends at most ClientAliveCountMax messages during a SSH session and waits for a response from the SSH client. The option ClientAliveInterval configures timeout after each ClientAliveCountMax message. If the SSH server does not receive a response from the client, then the connection is considered unresponsive and terminated. For SSH earlier than v8.2, a ClientAliveCountMax value of 0 causes a timeout precisely when the ClientAliveInterval is set. Starting with v8.2, a value of 0 disables the timeout functionality completely. If the option is set to a number greater than 0, then the session will be disconnected after ClientAliveInterval * ClientAliveCountMax seconds without receiving a keep alive message.

Rationale

This ensures a user login will be terminated as soon as the ClientAliveInterval is reached.

ID
xccdf_org.ssgproject.content_rule_sshd_set_keepalive
Severity
Medium
References
Updated