The Windows Firewall must block unsolicited inbound connections for the Domain Profile.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-17418	WN08-FW-000002	SV-48267r1_rule	ECSC-1	High

Description
A firewall provides a line of defense against attack. To be effective, it must be enabled and properly configured. Unsolicited inbound connections may be malicious attempts to gain access to a system. Unsolicited inbound connections for which there is no rule allowing the connection will be blocked in the domain.

STIG	Date
Windows 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2013-07-03

Details

Check Text ( C-44945r1_chk )
If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Subkey: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\DomainProfile\ 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 NA. A comparable setting must still be implemented. The Secure Remote Computing STIGs may contain additional requirements for systems used remotely. Note: If the system is not a member of a domain, the Domain Profile requirements can be marked Not Applicable.

Check Text ( C-44945r1_chk )

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding:

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

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 NA. A comparable setting must still be implemented. The Secure Remote Computing STIGs may contain additional requirements for systems used remotely.

Note: If the system is not a member of a domain, the Domain Profile requirements can be marked Not Applicable.

Fix Text (F-41402r1_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) -> Domain Profile Tab -> State, "Inbound Connections" to "Block (default)".