Windows Server 2019 directory service must be configured to terminate LDAP-based network connections to the directory server after five minutes of inactivity.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-205726	WN19-DC-000160	SV-205726r970703_rule		Low

Description
The failure to terminate inactive network connections increases the risk of a successful attack on the directory server. The longer an established session is in progress, the more time an attacker has to hijack the session, implement a means to passively intercept data, or compromise any protections on client access. For example, if an attacker gains control of a client computer, an existing (already authenticated) session with the directory server could allow access to the directory. The lack of confidentiality protection in LDAP-based sessions increases exposure to this vulnerability.

Description

The failure to terminate inactive network connections increases the risk of a successful attack on the directory server. The longer an established session is in progress, the more time an attacker has to hijack the session, implement a means to passively intercept data, or compromise any protections on client access. For example, if an attacker gains control of a client computer, an existing (already authenticated) session with the directory server could allow access to the directory. The lack of confidentiality protection in LDAP-based sessions increases exposure to this vulnerability.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-06-14

Details

Check Text ( C-5991r355096_chk )
This applies to domain controllers. It is NA for other systems. Open an elevated "Command Prompt" (run as administrator). Enter "ntdsutil". At the "ntdsutil:" prompt, enter "LDAP policies". At the "ldap policy:" prompt, enter "connections". At the "server connections:" prompt, enter "connect to server [host-name]" (where [host-name] is the computer name of the domain controller). At the "server connections:" prompt, enter "q". At the "ldap policy:" prompt, enter "show values". If the value for MaxConnIdleTime is greater than "300" (5 minutes) or is not specified, this is a finding. Enter "q" at the "ldap policy:" and "ntdsutil:" prompts to exit. Alternately, Dsquery can be used to display MaxConnIdleTime: Open "Command Prompt (Admin)". Enter the following command (on a single line). dsquery * "cn=Default Query Policy,cn=Query-Policies,cn=Directory Service, cn=Windows NT,cn=Services,cn=Configuration,dc=[forest-name]" -attr LDAPAdminLimits The quotes are required and dc=[forest-name] is the fully qualified LDAP name of the domain being reviewed (e.g., dc=disaost,dc=mil). If the results do not specify a "MaxConnIdleTime" or it has a value greater than "300" (5 minutes), this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-5991r355096_chk )

This applies to domain controllers. It is NA for other systems.

Open an elevated "Command Prompt" (run as administrator).

Enter "ntdsutil".

At the "ntdsutil:" prompt, enter "LDAP policies".

At the "ldap policy:" prompt, enter "connections".

At the "server connections:" prompt, enter "connect to server [host-name]"
(where [host-name] is the computer name of the domain controller).

At the "server connections:" prompt, enter "q".

At the "ldap policy:" prompt, enter "show values".

If the value for MaxConnIdleTime is greater than "300" (5 minutes) or is not specified, this is a finding.

Enter "q" at the "ldap policy:" and "ntdsutil:" prompts to exit.

Alternately, Dsquery can be used to display MaxConnIdleTime:

Open "Command Prompt (Admin)".
Enter the following command (on a single line).

dsquery * "cn=Default Query Policy,cn=Query-Policies,cn=Directory Service, cn=Windows NT,cn=Services,cn=Configuration,dc=[forest-name]" -attr LDAPAdminLimits

The quotes are required and dc=[forest-name] is the fully qualified LDAP name of the domain being reviewed (e.g., dc=disaost,dc=mil).

If the results do not specify a "MaxConnIdleTime" or it has a value greater than "300" (5 minutes), this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-5991r355097_fix)
Configure the directory service to terminate LDAP-based network connections to the directory server after 5 minutes of inactivity. Open an elevated "Command prompt" (run as administrator). Enter "ntdsutil". At the "ntdsutil:" prompt, enter "LDAP policies". At the "ldap policy:" prompt, enter "connections". At the "server connections:" prompt, enter "connect to server [host-name]" (where [host-name] is the computer name of the domain controller). At the "server connections:" prompt, enter "q". At the "ldap policy:" prompt, enter "Set MaxConnIdleTime to 300". Enter "Commit Changes" to save. Enter "Show values" to verify changes. Enter "q" at the "ldap policy:" and "ntdsutil:" prompts to exit.

Fix Text (F-5991r355097_fix)

Configure the directory service to terminate LDAP-based network connections to the directory server after 5 minutes of inactivity.

Open an elevated "Command prompt" (run as administrator).

Enter "ntdsutil".

At the "ntdsutil:" prompt, enter "LDAP policies".

At the "ldap policy:" prompt, enter "connections".

At the "server connections:" prompt, enter "connect to server [host-name]" (where [host-name] is the computer name of the domain controller).

At the "server connections:" prompt, enter "q".

At the "ldap policy:" prompt, enter "Set MaxConnIdleTime to 300".

Enter "Commit Changes" to save.

Enter "Show values" to verify changes.

Enter "q" at the "ldap policy:" and "ntdsutil:" prompts to exit.