Title

Unauthorized registry paths and sub-paths are remotely accessible. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

The registry is a database for computer configuration information, much of which is sensitive. An attacker could use this to facilitate unauthorized activities. To reduce the risk of this happening, it is also lowered by the fact that the default ACLs assigned throughout the registry are fairly restrictive and they help to protect it from access by unauthorized users.

Check Content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for “Network access: Remotely accessible registry paths and sub-paths” contains entries besides the following, then this is a finding: Software\Microsoft\OLAP Server Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Perflib Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Print Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows System\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\UserConfig System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\DefaultUserConfiguration System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Eventlog System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Sysmonlog The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurePipeServers\Winreg\AllowedPaths\ Value Name: Machine Value Type: REG_MULTI_SZ Value: As defined in policy above Note: Legitimate applications may add entries to this registry value. If an application requires these entries to function properly and is documented with the IAO, this would not be a finding. Documentation should contain supporting information from the vendor's instructions.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “Network access: Remotely accessible registry paths and sub-paths” as specified in the Check section.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-29731r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-4443

Group Title: Remotely Accessible Registry Paths and Sub-Paths

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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