18.5.10.2 Ensure 'Turn off Microsoft Peer-to-Peer Networking Services' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

The Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) allows for distributed resolution of a name to an IPv6 address and port number. The protocol operates in the context of clouds. A cloud is a set of peer computers that can communicate with each other by using the same IPv6 scope.

Peer-to-Peer protocols allow for applications in the areas of RTC, collaboration, content distribution and distributed processing.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Rationale:

This setting enhances the security of the environment and reduces the overall risk exposure related to peer-to-peer networking.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled:

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Network\Microsoft Peer-to-Peer Networking Services\Turn off Microsoft Peer-to-Peer Networking Services

Note: This Group Policy path is provided by the Group Policy template P2P-pnrp.admx/adml that is included with all versions of the Microsoft Windows Administrative Templates.

Impact:

Microsoft Peer-to-Peer Networking Services are turned off in their entirety, and all applications dependent on them will stop working.

Default Value:

Disabled. (Peer-to-peer protocols are turned on.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2550