Windows Server 2019 permissions for program file directories must conform to minimum requirements.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-205735	WN19-00-000150	SV-205735r958702_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

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	2024-06-14

Details

Check Text ( C-6000r355123_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 program file directories (Program Files and Program Files [x86]). 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: \Program Files and \Program Files (x86) 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:\program files"' 'icacls "c:\program files (x86)"' The following results should be displayed for each when entered: c:\program files (c:\program files (x86)) 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

Check Text ( C-6000r355123_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 program file directories (Program Files and Program Files [x86]). 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:
\Program Files and \Program Files (x86)
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:\program files"'
'icacls "c:\program files (x86)"'

The following results should be displayed for each when entered:

c:\program files (c:\program files (x86))
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-6000r355124_fix)
Maintain the default permissions for the program file directories and configure the Security Option "Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users" to "Disabled" (WN19-SO-000240). Default permissions: \Program Files and \Program Files (x86) 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

Fix Text (F-6000r355124_fix)

Maintain the default permissions for the program file directories and configure the Security Option "Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users" to "Disabled" (WN19-SO-000240).

Default permissions:
\Program Files and \Program Files (x86)
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