18.9.69.1 Ensure 'Turn off KMS Client Online AVS Validation' is set to 'Enabled'

Warning! Audit Deprecated

This audit has been deprecated and will be removed in a future update.

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Information

The Key Management Service (KMS) is a Microsoft license activation method that entails setting up a local server to store the software licenses. The KMS server itself needs to connect to Microsoft to activate the KMS service, but subsequent on-network clients can activate Microsoft Windows OS and/or their Microsoft Office via the KMS server instead of connecting directly to Microsoft. This policy setting lets you opt-out of sending KMS client activation data to Microsoft automatically.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Rationale:

Even though the KMS licensing method does not require KMS clients to connect to Microsoft, they still send KMS client activation state data to Microsoft automatically. Preventing this information from being sent can help reduce privacy concerns in high security environments.

Impact:

The computer is prevented from sending data to Microsoft regarding its KMS client activation state.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration, set the following Device Configuration Policy to 'Enabled':

To access the Device Configuration Policy from the Intune Home page:

Click Devices

Click Configuration profiles

Click Create profile

Select the platform (Windows 10 and later)

Select the profile (Custom)

Click Create

Enter a Name

Click Next

Configure the following Setting

Name: <Enter name>
Description: <Enter Description>
OMA-URI: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Licensing/DisallowKMSClientOnlineAVSValidation
Data type: Integer
Value: 1

Select OK

Continue through the Wizard to complete the creation of the profile (profile assignments, applicability etc.)

Note: More than one configuration setting from each of the Configuration profiles (ex: Administrative Templates, Custom etc.) can be added to each Device Configuration Policy.

Default Value:

Disabled. (KMS client activation data will automatically be sent to Microsoft when the device activates.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3358