Unauthorized remotely accessible registry paths must not be configured.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
WN08-SO-000056	WN08-SO-000056	WN08-SO-000056_rule		High

Description
The registry is integral to the function, security, and stability of the Windows system. Some processes may require remote access to the registry. This setting controls which registry paths are accessible from a remote computer. These registry paths must be limited, as they could give unauthorized individuals access to the registry.

STIG	Date
Windows 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2012-11-21

Details

Check Text ( C-WN08-SO-000056_chk )
Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. (See "Performing Analysis with the Security Configuration and Analysis Snap-in" in the STIG Overview document.) Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for "Network access: Remotely accessible registry paths" contains entries besides the following, this is a finding: System\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Server Applications Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurePipeServers\Winreg\AllowedExactPaths\ Value Name: Machine Value Type: REG_MULTI_SZ Value: As defined in policy above Legitimate applications may add entries to this registry value. If an application requires these entries to function properly and is documented with the IAO, this would not be a finding. Documentation should contain supporting information from the vendor's instructions.

Check Text ( C-WN08-SO-000056_chk )

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. (See "Performing Analysis with the Security Configuration and Analysis Snap-in" in the STIG Overview document.)
Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view.
Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options.

If the value for "Network access: Remotely accessible registry paths" contains entries besides the following, this is a finding:

System\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions
System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Server Applications
Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

The policy referenced configures the following registry value:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurePipeServers\Winreg\AllowedExactPaths\

Value Name: Machine

Value Type: REG_MULTI_SZ
Value: As defined in policy above

Legitimate applications may add entries to this registry value. If an application requires these entries to function properly and is documented with the IAO, this would not be a finding. Documentation should contain supporting information from the vendor's instructions.

Fix Text (F-WN08-SO-000056_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> "Network access: Remotely accessible registry paths" with the following entries: System\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Server Applications Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion