Listener Security – Important Tips

  • Turn on Logging

In order to know, which listener commands were executing, one should enable the logging by the following:

LSNRCTL> set log_directory  …/log

LSNRCTL> set log_file Listener_<sid name>.log

LSNRCTL> set log_status on LSNRCTL> save_config

  • Set the Listener Password

Setting Listener Password is strongly recommended in order to prevent the distinct attacks. There are two ways to do the same. Either by setting PASSWORDS_listenername parameter in listener.ora file (Password will be in a Clear Text – Not Recommended)Or By using lsnrctl set password command (Highly Recommended).

  • Remove  Unused Services

Since listener.ora files are usually copied between # of instances, they may contain old and redundant entries. Remove any services not currently being used.

  • Set ADMIN_RESTRICTIONS in Listener.ora

Setting this parameter in Listener.ora file to ON will prevent any runtime modification. One can not execute any SET command either Locally or Remotely.

  • Set Valid Node Checking

It is no doubt one of the powerful tools to restrict the Traffic from Listener. It can be achieved by the following:tcp.validnode_checking = yes (to enable Valid Nodes Checking)tcp.invited_nodes = (Nodes where Access Allowed)tcp.excluded_nodes= (Nodes Where Access Restricted)Either Use Invited_Nodes or Excluded_Nodes but Do Never Use the Both.

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