Title

The default permissions of Global system objects are not increased. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

Windows system maintains a global list of shared system resources such as DOS device names, mutexes, and semaphores. Each type of object is created with a default DACL that specifies who can access the objects with what permissions. If this policy is enabled, the default DACL is stronger, allowing non-admin users to read shared objects, but not modify shared objects that they did not create.

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 “System Objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic links)” is not set to “Enabled”, then this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\ Value Name: ProtectionMode Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “System Objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic links)” to “Enabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-1173r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-1173

Group Title: Global System Objects Permission Strength

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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