5.39 Ensure 'Windows Remote Management (WS-Management) (WinRM)' is set to 'Disabled'

Information

Windows Remote Management (WinRM) service implements the WS-Management protocol for remote management. WS-Management is a standard web services protocol used for remote software and hardware management. The WinRM service listens on the network for WS-Management requests and processes them.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled.

Rationale:

Features that enable inbound network connections increase the attack surface. In a high security environment, management of secure workstations should be handled locally.

Impact:

The ability to remotely manage the system with WinRM will be lost.

Note: Many remote administration tools, such as System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), may require the WinRM service to be operational for remote management.

Solution

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

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\System Services\Windows Remote Management (WS-Management)

Default Value:

Manual

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2992