Quick Guide: Installing BitNami Drupal Stack on Your Local Machine

BitNami Drupal Stack: Best Practices for Secure Deployment

1. Keep software up to date

• Update BitNami stack components: Regularly apply updates for Drupal, Apache/Nginx, PHP, MariaDB/MySQL and any bundled libraries.
• Enable automated notifications: Subscribe to security advisories for Drupal core and contributed modules.

2. Use the latest stable BitNami stack

• Deploy supported releases: Choose BitNami packages that include recent, supported versions of Drupal and dependencies to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities.

3. Harden the server environment

• Minimal OS footprint: Use a minimal, up-to-date operating system image (e.g., a current LTS) to reduce attack surface.
• Firewall: Restrict inbound traffic to necessary ports (HTTP/HTTPS, SSH from trusted IPs).
• Disable unused services: Turn off services not needed by your Drupal site.

4. Secure SSH and access controls

• Key-based SSH: Disable password authentication and use SSH keys.
• Change default ports: Optionally move SSH to a nonstandard port.
• Limit root access: Use sudo for administrative tasks and lock direct root login.

5. Protect Drupal itself

• Strong admin accounts: Use complex passwords and unique usernames; limit the number of superusers.
• Two-factor authentication: Enable 2FA for administrative accounts.
• Least privilege: Assign roles with minimum required permissions.
• Disable user registration if not needed.

6. HTTPS and certificates

• Enforce HTTPS: Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
• Use strong TLS: Configure TLS 1.2+ with secure ciphers; prefer modern defaults.
• Manage certificates: Use Let’s Encrypt or a reputable CA and automate renewal.

7. Secure configuration of web server and PHP

• Disable directory listing.
• Restrict file uploads: Limit allowed file types and size; store uploads outside webroot where feasible.
• Harden PHP: Disable dangerous functions (exec, shell_exec, system), set appropriate memory_limit, max_execution_time, and turn off display_errors in production.

8. Database security

• Strong credentials: Use complex passwords for DB users and avoid using root.
• Network restrictions: Bind the DB to localhost or internal network; block external DB access.
• Regular backups: Automate encrypted backups and test restoration procedures.

9. File permissions and ownership

• Secure ownership: Ensure the web server user owns only necessary directories (e.g., sites/default/files).
• Tight permissions: Use least-privilege file permissions (e.g., 644 for files, 755 for directories; more restrictive where possible).
• Protect settings.php: Set settings.php to 444 or appropriately restrictive permissions.

10. Module management

• Limit contributed modules: Install only necessary, well-maintained modules.
• Audit modules: Regularly review modules for security advisories and remove unused ones.
• Use vetted extensions: Prefer modules with active maintenance and community trust.

11. Monitoring and intrusion detection

• Log aggregation: Centralize logs (web server, PHP, Drupal, DB) and monitor for anomalies.
• File integrity monitoring: Use tools to detect unexpected file changes.
• Security scanners: Run periodic vulnerability scans and Drupal security module checks.

12. Backups and incident response

• Automated backups: Include code, database, and uploaded files; store copies offsite.
• Recovery plan: Maintain tested playbooks for containment, eradication, and recovery after an incident.

13. Use BitNami-specific best practices

• Follow BitNami documentation: Apply BitNami stack hardening steps and configuration tips.
• Leverage BitNami tools: Use included scripts for service management and secure configuration, where applicable.

14. Test before production

• Staging environment: Mirror production for patches and configuration changes.
• Penetration testing: Conduct periodic security testing to find weaknesses.

Quick checklist (actionable)

• Update stack components and modules
• Enforce HTTPS and strong TLS
• Use SSH keys and restrict access
• Harden PHP and web server settings
• Secure DB access and credentials
• Apply strict file permissions and protect settings.php
• Reduce and audit modules