UCF STIG Viewer Logo

Windows Server 2019 permissions for the Windows installation directory must conform to minimum requirements.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-205736 WN19-00-000160 SV-205736r569188_rule Medium
Description
Changing the system's file and directory permissions allows the possibility of unauthorized and anonymous modification to the operating system and installed applications. The default permissions are adequate when the Security Option "Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users" is set to "Disabled" (WN19-SO-000240). Satisfies: SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00122, SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00123, SRG-OS-000312-GPOS-00124
STIG Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2022-03-01

Details

Check Text ( C-6001r355126_chk )
The default permissions are adequate when the Security Option "Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users" is set to "Disabled" (WN19-SO-000240).

Review the permissions for the Windows installation directory (usually C:\Windows). Non-privileged groups such as Users or Authenticated Users must not have greater than "Read & execute" permissions. Individual accounts must not be used to assign permissions.

If permissions are not as restrictive as the default permissions listed below, this is a finding:

Viewing in File Explorer:

For each folder, view the Properties.

Select the "Security" tab and the "Advanced" button.

Default permissions:
\Windows
Type - "Allow" for all
Inherited from - "None" for all

Principal - Access - Applies to

TrustedInstaller - Full control - This folder and subfolders
SYSTEM - Modify - This folder only
SYSTEM - Full control - Subfolders and files only
Administrators - Modify - This folder only
Administrators - Full control - Subfolders and files only
Users - Read & execute - This folder, subfolders, and files
CREATOR OWNER - Full control - Subfolders and files only
ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES - Read & execute - This folder, subfolders, and files
ALL RESTRICTED APPLICATION PACKAGES - Read & execute - This folder, subfolders, and files

Alternately, use icacls:

Open a Command prompt (admin).

Enter "icacls" followed by the directory:

"icacls c:\windows"

The following results should be displayed for each when entered:

c:\windows
NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller:(F)
NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller:(CI)(IO)(F)
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(M)
NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F)
BUILTIN\Administrators:(M)
BUILTIN\Administrators:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F)
BUILTIN\Users:(RX)
BUILTIN\Users:(OI)(CI)(IO)(GR,GE)
CREATOR OWNER:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F)
APPLICATION PACKAGE AUTHORITY\ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES:(RX)
APPLICATION PACKAGE AUTHORITY\ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES:(OI)(CI)(IO)(GR,GE)
APPLICATION PACKAGE AUTHORITY\ALL RESTRICTED APPLICATION PACKAGES:(RX)
APPLICATION PACKAGE AUTHORITY\ALL RESTRICTED APPLICATION PACKAGES:(OI)(CI)(IO)(GR,GE)
Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files
Fix Text (F-6001r355127_fix)
Maintain the default file ACLs and configure the Security Option "Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users" to "Disabled" (WN19-SO-000240).

Default permissions:
Type - "Allow" for all
Inherited from - "None" for all

Principal - Access - Applies to

TrustedInstaller - Full control - This folder and subfolders
SYSTEM - Modify - This folder only
SYSTEM - Full control - Subfolders and files only
Administrators - Modify - This folder only
Administrators - Full control - Subfolders and files only
Users - Read & execute - This folder, subfolders, and files
CREATOR OWNER - Full control - Subfolders and files only
ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES - Read & execute - This folder, subfolders, and files
ALL RESTRICTED APPLICATION PACKAGES - Read & execute - This folder, subfolders, and files