The Cisco router must be configured to have all inactive interfaces disabled.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| low | V-216646 | SRG-NET-000019-RTR-000007 | CISC-RT-000060 | SV-216646r1117237_rule | 2025-08-14 | 3 |
Description
An inactive interface is rarely monitored or controlled and may expose a network to an undetected attack on that interface. Unauthorized personnel with access to the communication facility could gain access to a router by connecting to a configured interface that is not in use.
If an interface is no longer used, the configuration must be deleted and the interface disabled. For sub-interfaces, delete sub-interfaces that are on inactive interfaces and delete sub-interfaces that are themselves inactive. If the sub-interface is no longer necessary for authorized communications, it must be deleted.
ℹ️ Check
Review the router configuration and verify that inactive interfaces have been disabled as shown below:
interface GigabitEthernet3
shutdown
!
interface GigabitEthernet4
shutdown
If an interface is not being used but is configured or enabled, this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
Disable all inactive interfaces as shown below:
R4(config)#interface GigabitEthernet3
R4(config-if)#shutdown
R4(config)#interface GigabitEthernet4
R4(config-if)#shutdown