Windows Firewall Public Profile – Block unsolicited inbound connections.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-17438	5.473	SV-25240r1_rule	ECSC-1	High

Description
Unsolicited inbound connections for which there is no rule allowing the connection will be blocked on a public network.

STIG	Date
Windows 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2012-08-22

Details

Check Text ( C-18172r1_chk )
If the following registry value doesn’t exist or is not configured as specified, then this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Subkey: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\PublicProfile\ Value Name: DefaultInboundAction Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 Note: If a third-party firewall is used, document this with the IAO and mark the Windows firewall settings as Not Applicable. The Desktop/Secure Remote Computing STIGs contain additional requirements for systems used remotely.

Check Text ( C-18172r1_chk )

If the following registry value doesn’t exist or is not configured as specified, then this is a finding:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Subkey: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\PublicProfile\

Value Name: DefaultInboundAction

Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Note: If a third-party firewall is used, document this with the IAO and mark the Windows firewall settings as Not Applicable. The Desktop/Secure Remote Computing STIGs contain additional requirements for systems used remotely.

Fix Text (F-17352r1_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 -> State, “Inbound connections” to “Block (default)”.