Best practices for SSL/TLS security configuration of Nginx

Nginx is a widely used HTTP server and reverse proxy server that ensures the security of network communications through the SSL/TLS protocol. In this article, we will explore the best practices for Nginx SSL/TLS security configuration to help you better ensure the security of your server.

1. Use the latest version of Nginx and OpenSSL

The latest version of Nginx and OpenSSL contains the latest security fixes and updates. Therefore, ensuring the use of the latest versions of Nginx and OpenSSL is a basic means to ensure server security.

2. Generate private keys and certificates with strong passwords

When generating SSL certificates and private keys, we must ensure that strong passwords are used. Strong passwords can greatly improve the security of private keys and certificates, and can also prevent hacker attacks. For example, we can use the openssl tool to generate a 2048-bit RSA private key:

openssl genrsa -out key.pem 2048

Similarly, a password needs to be added when generating a certificate request:

openssl req -new -key key.pem -out csr.pem

3. Prohibit the use of weak encryption algorithms

The SSL/TLS protocol supports multiple encryption algorithms. Including DES, RC4, etc. However, some encryption algorithms have been proven to be flawed and even broken. Therefore, to ensure server security, we should prohibit the use of these already unsafe encryption algorithms. We can use the following configuration to prohibit the use of weak encryption algorithms:

ssl_ciphers HIGH:!aNULL:!MD5;

4. Enable Strict-Transport-Security (STS)

Enable STS protects against man-in-the-middle attacks and attempts to decrypt traffic. STS tells the browser to only access the website through HTTPS connections, and the browser will automatically redirect to HTTPS once it discovers that the website is accessed through an HTTP connection. STS can be enabled through the following configuration:

add_header Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload";

5. Enable HTTP public key pinning

Although the SSL/TLS protocol has become more and more secure, public key fixation attacks still exist. The principle of the public key pinning attack is that a hacker can obtain the public key of the website and modify it, causing the browser to mistakenly think that the connection is safe. This attack can be protected against by enabling HTTP public key pinning. We can enable HTTP public key pinning using the following configuration:

add_header Public-Key-Pins 'pin-sha256="base64 primary=="; pin-sha256="base64 backup=="; max-age =5184000; includeSubDomains';

6. Enable OCSP Stapling

OCSP Stapling is a security feature that reduces the pressure on the server by caching OCSP responses and shortens the time spent on the OCSP server. The response time improves the response speed and security of the server. We can enable OCSP Stapling using the following configuration:

ssl_stapling on;
ssl_stapling_verify on;
ssl_trusted_certificate /path/to/ocsp.crt;
resolver 8.8.8.8;
resolver_timeout 10s ;

7. The use of SSL v3.0 protocol is prohibited

The SSL v3.0 protocol has many security vulnerabilities and has been proven to be unsafe. Therefore, to ensure server security, we should prohibit the use of SSL v3.0 protocol. We can use the following configuration to prohibit the use of the SSL v3.0 protocol:

ssl_protocols TLSv1 TLSv1.1 TLSv1.2;

Summary

The SSL/TLS protocol is to ensure network communication security The basis of Nginx's SSL/TLS security configuration is very important. Through reasonable configuration, we can improve the security of the server and prevent hacker attacks. This article introduces the best practices for Nginx’s SSL/TLS security configuration and hopes to be helpful to readers.

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