The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security log file name and location must be configured for public network connections.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-17444	WNFWA-000026	SV-54919r4_rule		Low

Description
A firewall provides a line of defense against attack. To be effective, it must be enabled and properly configured. The location and file name of the firewall log for a public network connection will be defined to ensure the logs are maintained.

STIG	Date
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Security Technical Implementation Guide	2016-05-12

Details

Check Text ( C-61135r1_chk )
If the firewall's Public Profile is not enabled (see V-17417), this requirement is also a finding. If the following policy-based registry value exists and is not configured as specified, this is a finding. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\PublicProfile\Logging\ Value Name: LogFilePath Type: REG_SZ Value: %windir%\system32\logfiles\firewall\publicfirewall.log If the policy-based registry value does not exist, verify the following registry value. If it is not configured as specified, this is a finding. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\PublicProfile\Logging\ Value Name: LogFilePath Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ Value: %windir%\system32\logfiles\firewall\publicfirewall.log Automated tools may search for the file name specified in the check. If the site uses a different name for the log file, the finding will need to be closed manually.

Check Text ( C-61135r1_chk )

If the firewall's Public Profile is not enabled (see V-17417), this requirement is also a finding.

If the following policy-based registry value exists and is not configured as specified, this is a finding.

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\PublicProfile\Logging\

Value Name: LogFilePath

Type: REG_SZ
Value: %windir%\system32\logfiles\firewall\publicfirewall.log

If the policy-based registry value does not exist, verify the following registry value. If it is not configured as specified, this is a finding.

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\PublicProfile\Logging\

Value Name: LogFilePath

Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Value: %windir%\system32\logfiles\firewall\publicfirewall.log

Automated tools may search for the file name specified in the check. If the site uses a different name for the log file, the finding will need to be closed manually.

Fix Text (F-63527r2_fix)
The preferred method of configuring the firewall settings is with a policy, particularly in a domain environment. 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) >> Public Profile Tab >> Logging (select Customize), "Name" to "%windir%\system32\logfiles\firewall\publicfirewall.log". In addition to using policies, systems may also be configured using the firewall GUI or Netsh commands. These methods may be more appropriate for standalone systems. The configuration settings in the GUI are the same as those specified in the policy above. Windows Firewall Properties will be a link in the center pane after opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. The following Netsh command may also be used to configure this setting: "Netsh advfirewall set publicprofile logging filename %windir%\system32\LogFiles\Firewall\publicfirewall.log".

Fix Text (F-63527r2_fix)

The preferred method of configuring the firewall settings is with a policy, particularly in a domain environment.

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) >> Public Profile Tab >> Logging (select Customize), "Name" to "%windir%\system32\logfiles\firewall\publicfirewall.log".

In addition to using policies, systems may also be configured using the firewall GUI or Netsh commands. These methods may be more appropriate for standalone systems.
The configuration settings in the GUI are the same as those specified in the policy above. Windows Firewall Properties will be a link in the center pane after opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

The following Netsh command may also be used to configure this setting:
"Netsh advfirewall set publicprofile logging filename %windir%\system32\LogFiles\Firewall\publicfirewall.log".