WNFWA-000018 - Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security must log dropped packets when connected to a private network.

Information

A firewall provides a line of defense against attack. To be effective, it must be enabled and properly configured. Logging of dropped packets for a private network connection will be enabled to maintain an audit trail of potential issues.

Solution

The preferred method of configuring the firewall settings is with a policy, particularly in a domain environment.

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security >> Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security >> Windows Defender Firewall Properties (this link will be in the right pane) >> Private Profile tab >> Logging (select Customize), 'Log dropped packets' to 'Yes'.

In addition to using policies, systems may also be configured using the firewall GUI or Netsh commands. These methods may be more appropriate for standalone systems.

The configuration settings in the GUI are the same as those specified in the policy above. Microsoft Defender Firewall Properties will be a link in the center pane after opening Microsoft Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.

The following Netsh commands may also be used to configure this setting:

'Netsh advfirewall set privateprofile logging droppedconnections enable'.
or
'Netsh advfirewall set allprofiles logging droppedconnections enable'.

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_MS_Windows_Defender_Firewall_V2R2_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

References: 800-53|AU-12c., CAT|III, CCI|CCI-000172, Rule-ID|SV-242000r922950_rule, STIG-ID|WNFWA-000018, STIG-Legacy|SV-54904, STIG-Legacy|V-17436, Vuln-ID|V-242000

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 21055aeb4fb5369c87e57b5daf5ebbc12b228e59f516f584e0331157c02029de