Cloudflare Docs
DDoS Protection
Cloudflare Docs
DDoS Protection
Search icon (depiction of a magnifying glass)
GitHub icon
Visit DDoS Protection on GitHub
Set theme to dark (⇧+D)

HTTP DDoS Attack Protection Managed Ruleset

The Cloudflare HTTP DDoS Attack Protection Managed Ruleset is a set of pre-configured rules used to match known DDoS attack vectors at layer 7 (application layer) on the edge. Cloudflare updates the list of rules in the Managed Ruleset on a regular basis.

The HTTP DDoS Attack Protection Managed Ruleset is always enabled — you can only customize its behavior.

The HTTP DDoS Attack Protection Managed Ruleset provides users with increased observability into L7 DDoS attacks mitigated by Cloudflare, informing users of ongoing or past attacks. The Firewall Analytics dashboard, available at Security > Overview, will display additional information on the types of L7 DDoS attacks detected for a specific zone, including the top HTTP DDoS Managed Rules.

​​ Ruleset configuration

You can adjust the behavior of the rules in the Managed Ruleset by modifying the following parameters:

  • The performed action when an attack is detected.
  • The sensitivity level of attack detection mechanisms.

To adjust rule behavior, do one of the following:

For more information on the available configuration parameters, refer to Managed Ruleset parameters.

​​ Availability

The HTTP DDoS Attack Protection Managed Ruleset protects Cloudflare customers on all plans. All customers can customize the ruleset both at the zone level and at the account level.

Customers on Enterprise plans with the Advanced DDoS Protection subscription can create more than one rule with different expressions, to customize the DDoS protection for different incoming requests.

Customers on other plans can create only one rule and they cannot customize the rule expression. In this case, the single rule, containing one or more configurations or overrides, will always apply to all incoming traffic.

To block additional L7 attacks you can use other Cloudflare products like the Cloudflare WAF.