18.6.11.2 Ensure 'Prohibit installation and configuration of Network Bridge on your DNS domain network' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

You can use this procedure to control a user's ability to install and configure a Network Bridge.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled

The Network Bridge setting, if enabled, allows users to create a Layer 2 Media Access Control (MAC) bridge, enabling them to connect two or more physical network segments together. A Network Bridge thus allows a computer that has connections to two different networks to share data between those networks.

In an enterprise managed environment, where there is a need to control network traffic to only authorized paths, allowing users to create a Network Bridge increases the risk and attack surface from the bridged network.

Solution

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

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Network\Network Connections\Prohibit installation and configuration of Network Bridge on your DNS domain network

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

Impact:

Users cannot create or configure a Network Bridge.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/15301

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT, CONTINGENCY PLANNING, PLANNING, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, SYSTEM AND SERVICES ACQUISITION, SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|CM-6, 800-53|CM-7, 800-53|CP-6, 800-53|CP-7, 800-53|PL-8, 800-53|PM-7, 800-53|SA-8, 800-53|SC-7, CSCv7|11.3

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 189195c335e8d3818d76f2182da2cf050ec9a0f9f00431266560a6db49e8ae9a