The Cisco perimeter switch must be configured to have Proxy ARP disabled on all external interfaces.

Severity	Group ID	Group Title	Version	Rule ID	Date	STIG Version
medium	V-221098	SRG-NET-000364-RTR-000112	CISC-RT-000380	SV-221098r999707_rule	2024-12-20	3

Description
When Proxy ARP is enabled on a switch, it allows that switch to extend the network (at Layer 2) across multiple interfaces (LAN segments). Because proxy ARP allows hosts from different LAN segments to look like they are on the same segment, proxy ARP is only safe when used between trusted LAN segments. Attackers can leverage the trusting nature of proxy ARP by spoofing a trusted host and then intercepting packets. Proxy ARP should always be disabled on switch interfaces that do not require it, unless the switch is being used as a LAN bridge.

Description

When Proxy ARP is enabled on a switch, it allows that switch to extend the network (at Layer 2) across multiple interfaces (LAN segments). Because proxy ARP allows hosts from different LAN segments to look like they are on the same segment, proxy ARP is only safe when used between trusted LAN segments. Attackers can leverage the trusting nature of proxy ARP by spoofing a trusted host and then intercepting packets. Proxy ARP should always be disabled on switch interfaces that do not require it, unless the switch is being used as a LAN bridge.

ℹ️ Check
Review the switch configuration to determine if IP Proxy ARP is enabled on any external interface as shown in the example below: interface Ethernet2/2 description link to DISN no switchport ip address x.1.12.2/24 ip proxy-arp no shutdown Note: By default Proxy ARP is disabled on all interfaces. If IP Proxy ARP is enabled on any external interface, this is a finding.

✔️ Fix
Disable Proxy ARP on all external interfaces as shown in the example below: SW1(config)#int e2/2 SW1(config-if)# no ip proxy-arp SW1(config-if)# end