Access to the Windows Store must be turned off.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-225340	WN12-CC-000030	SV-225340r569185_rule		Medium

Description
Uncontrolled installation of applications can introduce various issues, including system instability, and allow access to sensitive information. Installation of applications must be controlled by the enterprise. Turning off access to the Windows Store will limit access to publicly available applications.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 Member Server Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-02-27

Details

Check Text ( C-27039r471362_chk )
The Windows Store is not installed by default. If the \Windows\WinStore directory does not exist, this is NA. If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\ Value Name: NoUseStoreOpenWith Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix Text (F-27027r471363_fix)
If the \Windows\WinStore directory exists, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> Internet Communication Management >> Internet Communication settings >> "Turn off access to the Store" to "Enabled". Alternately, uninstall the "Desktop Experience" feature from Windows 2012. This is located under "User Interfaces and Infrastructure" in the "Add Roles and Features Wizard". The \Windows\WinStore directory may need to be manually deleted after this.

Fix Text (F-27027r471363_fix)

If the \Windows\WinStore directory exists, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> Internet Communication Management >> Internet Communication settings >> "Turn off access to the Store" to "Enabled".

Alternately, uninstall the "Desktop Experience" feature from Windows 2012. This is located under "User Interfaces and Infrastructure" in the "Add Roles and Features Wizard". The \Windows\WinStore directory may need to be manually deleted after this.