Title

Terminal Services is not configured with the client connection encryption set to the required level. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Remote connections must be encrypted to prevent interception of data or sensitive information. Selecting “High Level” will ensure encryption of Terminal Services sessions in both directions.

Check Content

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Subkey: \Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\ Value Name: MinEncryptionLevel Type: REG_DWORD Value: 3

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Terminal Services -> Encryption and Security “Set Client Connection Encryption Level” to “Enabled” and select “High Level” for the “Encryption Level”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-3454r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-3454

Group Title: TS/RDS - Set Encryption Level

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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