The location feature must be turned off.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-36708	WN08-CC-000095	SV-48338r1_rule	ECSC-1	Medium

Description
The location service on mobile devices may allow sensitive data to be used by applications on the system. This should be turned off unless explicitly allowed for approved systems/applications.

STIG	Date
Windows 8 / 8.1 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2014-06-27

Details

Check Text ( C-45009r1_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\Windows\LocationAndSensors\ Value Name: DisableLocation Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1 (Enabled) If location services are approved for the device by the organization, this may be set to "Disabled" (0). This must be documented with the IAO.

Check Text ( C-45009r1_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\Windows\LocationAndSensors\

Value Name: DisableLocation

Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1 (Enabled)

If location services are approved for the device by the organization, this may be set to "Disabled" (0). This must be documented with the IAO.

Fix Text (F-41470r1_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Location and Sensors -> "Turn off location" to "Enabled". If location services are approved by the organization for a device, this must be documented.