General Information

This page covers the Network Services objectives, specifically for the Apache Web Server.

Network Services Objectives

• Install the packages needed to provide the service
• Configure SELinux to support the service
• Use SELinux port labeling to allow services to use non-standard ports
• Configure the service to start when the system is booted
• Configure the service for basic operation
• Configure host-based and user-based security for the service

The following virtual machines will be used:

• server1.example.com (192.168.1.150) → Perform all connectivity tests from here
• server2.example.com (192.168.1.151) → Install Apache Web Server here

Install Apache Web Server (httpd) and manual

yum install httpd httpd-manual

• NOTE: The httpd-manual can come in handy for checking syntax/getting help.

Access the httpd-manual

http://localhost/manual
OR
elinks /usr/share/httpd/manual/<page|section>

• Service agnostic → Ensure SELinux is running and enabled (RHCSA objective).

Configuring the Apache Web Server with a non standard port and allowing port access with selinux.

• Examples: “man semanage-port” has examples for allowing non-standard ports!
• Tip: To see current port labels

  semanage port -l | grep http

Change HTTPD's Port

Change httpd port

vim /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
 
Listen 8282

Restart httpd service

systemctl stop httpd
systemctl start httpd

• service should fail to start

See why

systemctl status httpd -l

• Should see permission denied to make socket 8282

SELinux: Configure Non Standard Port

View http ports SELinux allows

semanage port -l | grep http

Label port 8282 for the http service

semanage port -a -t http_port_t -p tcp 8282

• semanage port → SELinux port mapping tool
• -a → add a record
• -t http_port_t → Type http_port_t
• -p tcp → Protocol tcp
• 8282 → the port

Check Current Service Status

systemctl status httpd

• Also displays if the service is enabled or disabled

Enabling a service to start on boot

systemctl enable httpd

Enable and Start the service

systemctl enable httpd
systemctl start httpd

Allow access through the firewall

# Standard http/https ports
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https
firewall-cmd --reload
 
# Non-standard port example
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=8282/tcp
firewall-cmd --reload

/etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf

<Directory "/var/www/html">
 
  # Blacklist "server1"
  <RequireAll>
    Require all granted
    Require not host server1
  </RequireAll>
 
</Directory>

• The above will allow access from all hosts except “server1”
• Must be inside of a <Directory> context.

See Restrict Access to a Directory.