5.9 Ensure 'Microsoft FTP Service (FTPSVC)' is set to 'Disabled' or 'Not Installed'

Information

Enables the server to be a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled or Not Installed.

Note: This service is not installed by default. It is supplied with Windows, but is installed by enabling an optional Windows feature (Internet Information Services - FTP Server).

Rationale:

Hosting an FTP server (especially a non-secure FTP server) from a workstation is an increased security risk, as the attack surface of that workstation is then greatly increased.

Note: This security concern applies to any FTP server application installed on a workstation, not just IIS.

Impact:

The computer will not function as an FTP server.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to: Disabled or ensure the service is not installed.

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\System Services\Microsoft FTP Service

Default Value:

Not Installed (Automatic when installed)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/14249

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-4, CSCv7|9.2

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 4cd8500976b5b1f3dd5ec09cf6d5c2b2c6070188d14c20fe583135f145208cf6