Install iptables Package

Description

The iptables package can be installed with the following command:


$ apt-get install iptables

Rationale

iptables controls the Linux kernel network packet filtering code. iptables allows system operators to set up firewalls and IP masquerading, etc.

Remediation

Shell script

The following script can be run on the host to remediate the issue.

#!/bin/bash

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if ( ! (systemctl is-active nftables &>/dev/null) && ! (systemctl is-active ufw &>/dev/null) && dpkg-query --show --showformat='${db:Status-Status}' 'linux-base' 2>/dev/null | grep -q '^installed$' ); then

DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt-get install -y "iptables"

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi

Ansible playbook

The following playbook can be run with Ansible to remediate the issue.

- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-1.4.1
  - enable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
  - package_iptables_installed

- name: Ensure iptables is installed
  package:
    name: iptables
    state: present
  when: ( "linux-base" in ansible_facts.packages )
  tags:
  - NIST-800-53-CM-6(a)
  - PCI-DSS-Req-1.4.1
  - enable_strategy
  - low_complexity
  - low_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
  - package_iptables_installed