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The file system must be audited for failed access attempts.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-1080 WN08-GE-000004 SV-48020r2_rule ECAR-1 ECAR-2 ECAR-3 Medium
Description
Improper modification of system files can have a significant impact on the security configuration of a system as well as potentially rendering a system inoperable. Failed access attempts may indicate an attack on a system. Auditing for failed access attempts provides an indicator of such attempts and a method of determining responsible parties.
STIG Date
Windows 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2014-01-07

Details

Check Text ( C-45826r3_chk )
If "Object Access -> File System" auditing is not properly configured (V-26544), or if drives are not formatted with NTFS (V-1081), this is a finding.

If "Global Object Access Auditing" of the file system has not been configured to audit all failed access attempts for the "Everyone" group, this is a finding.

Use the AuditPol tool to review the current configuration.
Open a Command Prompt with elevated privileges ("Run as Administrator").
Enter "Auditpol /resourceSACL /type:File /view". ("File" in the /type parameter is case sensitive.)

The following results should be displayed.

Entry: 1
Resource Type: File
User: Everyone
Flags: Failure
Condition:
Accesses:
FILE_READ_DATA
FILE_WRITE_DATA
FILE_APPEND_DATA
FILE_READ_EA
FILE_WRITE_EA
FILE_EXECUTE
FILE_DELETE_CHILD
FILE_READ_ATTRIBUTES
FILE_WRITE_ATTRIBUTES
DELETE
READ_CONTROL
WRITE_DAC
WRITE_OWNER

The command was successfully executed.


Alternately, file auditing may be configured through Windows Explorer. If configured as follows, this is not a finding.

For each drive on the system, view the file auditing configuration.
Open Windows Explorer.
Right click a drive and select "Properties".
Select the "Security" tab.
Click "Advanced".
Select the "Auditing" tab.
Click "Continue" to view auditing properties.
Verify the following.

Type - Fail
Principal - Everyone
Access - Full control
Apply to - This folder, subfolders and files
Fix Text (F-43218r2_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Advanced Audit Policy Configuration -> System Audit Policies -> Global Object Access Auditing -> "File system" with the following.
Principal: Everyone
Type: Fail
Permissions: All categories selected