18.10.58.3.10.2 Ensure 'Set time limit for disconnected sessions' is set to 'Enabled: 1 minute'

Information

This policy setting allows you to configure a time limit for disconnected Remote Desktop Services sessions.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled: 1 minute.

Rationale:

This setting helps to prevent active Remote Desktop sessions from tying up the computer for long periods of time while not in use, preventing computing resources from being consumed by large numbers of disconnected but still active sessions. In addition, old, forgotten Remote Desktop sessions that are still active can cause password lockouts if the user's password has changed but the old session is still running. For systems that limit the number of connected users (e.g. servers in the default Administrative mode - 2 sessions only), other users' old but still active sessions can prevent another user from connecting, resulting in an effective denial of service. This setting is important to ensure a disconnected session is properly terminated.

Impact:

Disconnected Remote Desktop sessions are deleted from the server after 1 minute. Note that disconnected session time limits do not apply to console sessions.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration, set the following Device Configuration Policy to Enabled: 1 minute:

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 (Administrative Templates)

Click Create

Enter a Name

Click Next

Configure the following Setting

Path: Computer Configuration\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Session Time Limits
Setting Name: Set time limit for disconnected sessions
Configuration: Enabled: 1 minute

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. (Disconnected Remote Desktop sessions are maintained for an unlimited time on the server.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/14355

Item Details

Category: ACCESS CONTROL

References: 800-53|AC-11, CSCv7|16.11

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 739fd3f3ffe7f01e46a8f2070448574a21e6ec399a91aad71f1e497747826a1e