9.3.2 Ensure 'Windows Firewall: Public: Inbound connections' is set to 'Block (default)'

Information

This setting determines the behavior for inbound connections that do not match an inbound firewall rule.

The recommended state for this setting is: Block (default).

Rationale:

If the firewall allows all traffic to access the system then an attacker may be more easily able to remotely exploit a weakness in a network service.

Impact:

None - this is the default behavior.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Block (default):

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Windows Firewall with Advanced Security\Windows Firewall with Advanced Security\Windows Firewall Properties\Public Profile\Inbound connections

Default Value:

Block (default). (The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security will block all inbound connections that do not match an inbound firewall rule in this profile.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/4286

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-7, 800-53|SC-7(5), CSCv7|9.4, CSCv7|11.2

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 93aa7ec64c4edd0a89ba36b7131590684e822df249116ba9c8986bdc1db4cf7c