CentOS Detection Scanner

CentOS is an open-source Linux distribution derived from the sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It is commonly used on servers due to its stability and long-term support, often by organizations that seek the reliability of RHEL but without the cost. Many web hosting services and enterprises use CentOS for their applications, prioritizing security and stability. CentOS is also favored as a development environment because of its compatibility with RHEL. However, it is crucial for organizations to keep their CentOS installations up to date to avoid running unsupported versions. This scanner plays an important role for administrators in checking for outdated versions that have reached EOL and need upgrading.

This scanner detects whether a CentOS system has reached its End-of-Life (EOL) status by examining version information in HTTP responses. When a system reaches EOL, it no longer receives security updates, leaving it vulnerable to attacks. By identifying systems running outdated versions, this scanner helps organizations act quickly to upgrade or migrate, thus maintaining their security posture. Using HTTP response data to identify EOL CentOS systems allows for effective monitoring of server environments. The importance of this detection lies in preventing potential security breaches by ensuring systems aren't using non-supported software. This scanner provides a proactive measure in maintaining system security and compliance.

The detection process involves sending an HTTP GET request to a target system and examining the server's response headers to identify the version of Apache and indicate CentOS usage. The matcher uses a regex pattern to capture instances where 'Apache/' followed by a version number and 'centos' are mentioned in the header. This indicates that the server is running on a CentOS system. The analysis focuses on the part of the header that would confirm the software version and check its EOL status. Redirects are followed up to two times to ensure the correct endpoint is reached. Successful detection flags servers as running on outdated CentOS versions needing attention.

If a CentOS system has reached EOL, it can result in several impacts, such as potential security vulnerabilities due to the lack of updates and patches. Attackers could exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated versions, leading to unauthorized access or data breaches. Additionally, running EOL systems may violate security policies or compliance standards, potentially resulting in legal liabilities. This scenario can also impact business continuity if older software components fail or perform unreliably. Organizations might face increased operational costs due to potential emergency upgrades or repairs. Therefore, detecting and addressing EOL CentOS systems is essential to minimize these risks.

REFERENCES

• https://endoflife.date/centos
• https://blog.centos.org/2023/04/end-dates-are-coming-for-centos-stream-8-and-centos-linux-7/