WNFWA-000013 - Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security must allow outbound connections, unless a rule explicitly blocks the connection 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. Outbound connections are allowed on a private network, unless a rule explicitly blocks the connection. This allows normal outbound communication, which could be restricted as necessary with additional rules.

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 >> State, 'Outbound connections' to 'Allow (default)'.

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 firewallpolicy blockinbound,allowoutbound'.
or
'Netsh advfirewall set allprofiles firewallpolicy blockinbound,allowoutbound'.

Both inbound and outbound parameters must be specified to execute this command.

See Also

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

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-5(1), CAT|II, CCI|CCI-001094, Rule-ID|SV-241998r922946_rule, STIG-ID|WNFWA-000013, STIG-Legacy|SV-54890, STIG-Legacy|V-17429, Vuln-ID|V-241998

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: fe24f5487dd4c5ad46fe78da3402c389600060925882c0a2486f7a10c66fb2b3