Local firewall rules for the Windows Firewall must not be merged with group policy rules for the Public Profile.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-17442	5.477	SV-25244r2_rule	ECSC-1	Medium

Description
A firewall provides a line of defense against attack. To be effective, it must be enabled and properly configured. Merging local firewall rules with group policy firewall rules may weaken intended group policy firewall configurations.

STIG	Date
Win7 Audit	2013-06-10

Details

Check Text ( None )
None

Fix Text (F-41969r2_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security -> Windows Firewall Properties (this link will be in the right pane) -> Public Profile Tab -> Settings (select Customize) -> Rule merging, "Apply local firewall rules" to "No". Configure a comparable setting if a third-party firewall is used.

Fix Text (F-41969r2_fix)

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security -> Windows Firewall Properties (this link will be in the right pane) -> Public Profile Tab -> Settings (select Customize) -> Rule merging, "Apply local firewall rules" to "No".

Configure a comparable setting if a third-party firewall is used.