Disabling HTTP methods

You can block the use of HTTP methods to request local or remote resources to reduce security vulnerability.

About this task

Modify the WebSEAL configuration file to disable specific HTTP methods.

Procedure

  • Use the http-method-disabled-local stanza entry in the [server] stanza to disable the use of specific methods to request resources over a local junction.
  • Use the http-method-disabled-remote stanza entry in the [server] stanza to disable the use of specific methods to request remote resources.
    You can use a comma (,) to separate multiple methods. For example, the following configuration entry blocks access to the TRACE and PUT methods over local junctions:
    [server]
    http-method-disabled-local = TRACE,PUT
    By default, WebSEAL disables the TRACE, PUT, DELETE, CONNECT methods. The default values for these configuration entries are as follows:
    [server]
    http-method-disabled-local  = TRACE,PUT,DELETE,CONNECT
    http-method-disabled-remote = TRACE,PUT,DELETE,CONNECT
    Note:

    You can enable a blocked method by removing the method name from these two entries in the WebSEAL configuration file.

    To enable all HTTP methods for local responses, set the following entry:

    [server]
    http-method-disabled-local = 

    To enable all HTTP methods for junctioned responses, set the following entry:

    [server]
    http-method-disabled-remote =