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V-241996

CAT III (Low)

Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security must log successful connections when connected to a domain.

Rule ID

SV-241996r922942_rule

STIG

Microsoft Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R2

CCIs

CCI-001462

Discussion

A firewall provides a line of defense against attack. To be effective, it must be enabled and properly configured. Logging of successful connections for a domain connection will be enabled to maintain an audit trail if issues are discovered.

Check Content

If the system is not a member of a domain, the Domain Profile requirements can be marked NA.

If the system is a member of a domain and the firewall's Domain Profile is not enabled (see V-17415), 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\DomainProfile\Logging\

Value Name:  LogSuccessfulConnections

Type:  REG_DWORD
Value:  0x00000001 (1)

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\DomainProfile\Logging\

Value Name:  LogSuccessfulConnections

Type:  REG_DWORD
Value:  0x00000001 (1)

Fix Text

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 Defender Firewall with Advanced Security >> Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security >> Windows Defender Firewall Properties (this link will be in the right pane) >> Domain Profile tab >> Logging (select Customize), "Log successful connections" to "Yes".

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. Microsoft Defender Firewall Properties will be a link in the center pane after opening Microsoft Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.

The following Netsh commands may also be used to configure this setting:

"Netsh advfirewall set domainprofile logging allowedconnections enable".
or
"Netsh advfirewall set allprofiles logging allowedconnections enable".