Rule version TOSS-05-000232 · STIG v1 · 2026-08-20
Source-routed packets allow the source of the packet to suggest that routers forward the packet along a different path than configured on the router, which can be used to bypass network security measures. This requirement applies only to the forwarding of source-routed traffic, such as when forwarding is enabled and the system is functioning as a router.
Accepting source-routed packets in the IPv6 protocol has few legitimate uses. It must be disabled unless it is absolutely required.
Verify TOSS 5 does not accept IPv6 source-routed packets by default.
Note: If IPv6 is disabled on the system, this requirement is not applicable.
Check the value of the accept source route variable using the following command:
$ sudo sysctl net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_source_route
net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_source_route = 0
If the returned line does not have a value of "0", or a line is not returned, this is a finding.
Configure TOSS 5 to not forward IPv6 source-routed packets by default.
Add or edit the following line in a single system configuration file, in the "/etc/sysctl.d/" directory:
net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_source_route = 0
Load settings from all system configuration files using the following command:
$ sudo sysctl --system