IPv6 TCP data retransmissions must be configured to prevent resources from becoming exhausted.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-21956	WN08-SO-000047	SV-48433r3_rule	ECSC-1	Low

Description
Configuring Windows to limit the number of times that IPv6 TCP retransmits unacknowledged data segments before aborting the attempt helps prevent resources from becoming exhausted.

STIG	Date
Windows 8 / 8.1 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2015-11-30

Details

Check Text ( C-45100r3_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. (See "Updating the Windows Security Options File" in the STIG Overview document if MSS settings are not visible in the system's policy tools.) If the value for "MSS: (TcpMaxDataRetransmissions IPv6) How many times unacknowledged data is retransmitted (3 recommended, 5 is default)" is not set to "3" or less, this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters\ Value Name: TcpMaxDataRetransmissions Type: REG_DWORD Value: 3 (or less)

Check Text ( C-45100r3_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.

(See "Updating the Windows Security Options File" in the STIG Overview document if MSS settings are not visible in the system's policy tools.)

If the value for "MSS: (TcpMaxDataRetransmissions IPv6) How many times unacknowledged data is retransmitted (3 recommended, 5 is default)" is not set to "3" or less, this is a finding.

The policy referenced configures the following registry value:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters\

Value Name: TcpMaxDataRetransmissions

Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 3 (or less)

Fix Text (F-41562r2_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "MSS: (TcpMaxDataRetransmissions IPv6) How many times unacknowledged data is retransmitted (3 recommended, 5 is default)" to "3" or less.