5.41 (L1) Ensure 'WLAN AutoConfig Service (WlanSvc)' is set to 'Disabled'

Information

The WLANSVC service provides the logic required to configure, discover, connect to, and disconnect from a wireless local area network (WLAN) as defined by IEEE 802.11 standards.

It also contains the logic to turn your computer into a software access point so that other devices or computers can connect to your computer wirelessly using a WLAN adapter that can support this.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled

Note: Stopping or disabling the WLANSVC service will make all WLAN adapters on your computer inaccessible from the Windows networking user interface (UI).

Disabling the use of wireless (Wifi) connections can reduce the attack surface of the system.

Solution

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

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\System Services\WLAN AutoConfig

Impact:

The use of a wireless (Wifi) connections will not be allowed on the system. In addition, the WLAN adapter will be inaccessible from the UI.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/17610

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6, 800-53|CM-7, CSCv7|9.2

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 6a8990b16781a84a74126aa1f3982bc3997336964239fddb9a26f5b086119650