CIS Microsoft Application Service Benchmarks

As part of a good security management program, a networking team needs to ensure a consistent configuration baseline for Microsoft application services across the network. Even the most well managed networks have misconfigurations within infrastructure devices that can leave these systems at risk for attack or exploitation. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is an organization that works with security experts to develop a set of best practice security standards designed to harden operating systems and applications. This report provides a high-level overview of results gathered from CIS compliance scans using the CIS Microsoft Application Service Benchmarks.

Tenable is certified by CIS to perform a wide variety of platform and application audits based on the best practice consensus benchmarks developed by CIS. Tenable submits example test cases for all of the criteria within each unique benchmark, and then submits the results to CIS personnel for official certification. Tenable developed audit files for Microsoft application services, which are approved and certified by CIS staff members.

When performing managed scans with Tenable.sc, some CIS audits require additional patch audits and vulnerability checks. Any additional requirements for completing an audit using the Microsoft Application Service Benchmarks will be included within the audit file description text. In some cases, multiple scans may be required, as Tenable provides both Level 1 and Level 2 audit checks. Level 1 checks provide minimum settings recommendations and are generally considered safe to apply to most systems. Level 2 checks include recommendations for complex or highly secure environments and can lead to reduced functionality of key systems or applications.

When performing audit scans with Tenable.sc, audit files related to the CIS Microsoft Application Service Benchmarks must first be uploaded. Next, the appropriate credentials must be added, after which a scan policy can be created. Finally, a scan can be scheduled. Using these benchmarks will help to assess the effectiveness of existing security controls, and provide the critical information needed to improve an organization's security posture.

Reports, a comprehensive collection of dashboards, Assurance Report Cards and assets are available in the Tenable.sc Feed. The reports are located under the category Compliance & Configuration Assessment. The report requirements are:

• Tenable.sc 5.4.0
• Nessus 8.6.0
• CIS Audit files for Microsoft Application Services are required, and the files required for each template are listed below with their respective templates.

As network operations work tirelessly to maintain consistent configurations, Tenable.sc can assist in this process. Tenable.sc helps to measure and communicate results with many compliance standards using the CIS Benchmarks. By default, Tenable.sc comes with over 200 audit files for CIS and more than 400 audit files overall, which supports the security operations team in performing audits on many system types and applications.  By prioritizing remediation actions for misconfigured systems, the organization can maximize their investment in compliance reporting and system hardening efforts. Tenable.sc delivers comprehensive security solutions that provide continuous visibility and critical context, enabling decisive actions to protect the organization.

Report Templates

CIS Microsoft Exchange 2007 Benchmark v1.1.0 - This benchmark provides guidance for establishing a secure configuration posture for Microsoft Exchange 2007 Server. This report includes a high-level overview of results gathered from Exchange server settings. The audit file required to support this report template is:

• CIS_v1.1.0_MS_Exchange_2007_Edge_Transport.audit

CIS Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 v1.1.0 – This report template provides summaries of the audit checks for the CIS Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 v1.1.0 Benchmark. This report includes a high-level overview of results gathered from file and directory permissions, encryption controls, service settings, and more. The audit files required to support this report template are:

• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2013_Level_1_UM_v1.1.0.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2013_Level_1_Mailbox_v1.1.0.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2013_Level_1_Edge_v1.1.0.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2013_Level_1_CAS_v1.1.0.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2013_Level_1_Hub_v1.1.0.audit

CIS Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 v1.0.0 – This report template provides summaries of the audit checks for the CIS Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 v1.0.0 Benchmark. This report includes a high-level overview of results gathered from file and directory permissions, encryption controls, service settings, and more. The audit files required to support this report template are:

• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2016_Level_1_Mailbox_v1.0.0.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2016_Level_1_Edge_v1.0.0.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2016_Level_1_Hub_v1.0.0.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2016_Level_1_UM_v1.0.0.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_2016_Level_1_CAS_v1.0.0.audit

CIS Microsoft SharePoint 2016 v1.1.0 – This report template provides summaries of the audit checks for the CIS Microsoft SharePoint 2016 v1.1.0 Benchmark. This report includes a high-level overview of results gathered from file and directory permissions, encryption controls, service settings, and more. The audit files required to support this report template are:

• CIS_Microsoft_SharePoint_2016_DB_v1.1.0_Level_1.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_SharePoint_2016_OS_v1.1.0_Level_1.audit

CIS Microsoft SharePoint 2019 v1.0.0 – This report template provides summaries of the audit checks for the CIS Microsoft SharePoint 2019 v1.0.0 Benchmark. This report includes a high-level overview of results gathered from file and directory permissions, encryption controls, service settings, and more. The audit files required to support this report template are:

• CIS_Microsoft_SharePoint_2019_DB_v1.0.0_Level_1.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_SharePoint_2019_OS_v1.0.0_Level_1.audit

CIS Microsoft Edge v3.0.0 – This report template provides summaries of the audit checks for the CIS Microsoft Edge v3.0.0 Benchmark. This report includes a high-level overview of results gathered from file and directory permissions, encryption controls, service settings, and more. The audit files required to support this report template are:

• CIS_Microsoft_Edge_v3.0.0_L1.audit
• CIS_Microsoft_Edge_v3.0.0_L2.audit