Title

The computer does not wait for the network at computer startup. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The setting determines if Windows waits for complete network initialization before allowing the user to log on. Part of this initialization is the application of Group Policy. This may permit a User to log on before all GPOs (Group Policy Objects) are obtained and processed and so the user may operate under the incorrect security context for a time.

Check Content

The policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon “Always Wait for the Network at Computer Startup and Logon” will be set to “Enabled”. If the following registry value doesn’t exist or its value is not set to 1, then this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Subkey: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ Value Name: SyncForegroundPolicy Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix Text

Configure the system to wait for complete network initialization before allowing a user to log on. This is done by setting the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon “Always Wait for the Network at Computer Startup and Logon” to “Enabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-3342r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-3342

Group Title:

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.