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Chapter 8. Disabling anonymous binds

If a user attempts to connect to Directory Server without supplying any credentials, this operation is called anonymous bind. Anonymous binds simplify searches and read operations, such as finding a phone number in the directory by not requiring users to authenticate first. However, anonymous binds can also be a security risk, because users without an account are able to access the data.

Warning

By default, anonymous binds are enabled in Directory Server for search and read operations. This allows unauthorized access to user entries as well as configuration entries, such as the root directory server entry (DSE).

To increase the security, you can disable anonymous binds.

Procedure

  • Set the nsslapd-allow-anonymous-access configuration parameter to off: 

    # dsconf -D "cn=Directory Manager" ldap://server.example.com config replace nsslapd-allow-anonymous-access=off
    Copy to Clipboard Toggle word wrap

Verification

  • Run a search without specifying a user account: 

    # ldapsearch -H ldap://server.example.com -b "dc=example,dc=com" -x
ldap_bind: Inappropriate authentication (48)
	additional info: Anonymous access is not allowed
    Copy to Clipboard Toggle word wrap

To increase the security, you can disable anonymous binds.

Prerequisites

  • You are logged in to the instance in the web console.

Procedure

  1. Navigate to Server Server Settings Advanced Settings.
  2. Set the Allow Anonymous Access parameter to off.
  3. Click Save.

Verification

  • Run a search without specifying a user account: 

    # ldapsearch -H ldap://server.example.com -b "dc=example,dc=com" -x
ldap_bind: Inappropriate authentication (48)
        additional info: Anonymous access is not allowed
    Copy to Clipboard Toggle word wrap
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