WN16-00-000040 - Administrative accounts must not be used with applications that access the Internet, such as web browsers, or with potential Internet sources, such as email.

Information

Using applications that access the Internet or have potential Internet sources using administrative privileges exposes a system to compromise. If a flaw in an application is exploited while running as a privileged user, the entire system could be compromised. Web browsers and email are common attack vectors for introducing malicious code and must not be run with an administrative account.

Since administrative accounts may generally change or work around technical restrictions for running a web browser or other applications, it is essential that policy require administrative accounts to not access the Internet or use applications such as email.

The policy should define specific exceptions for local service administration. These exceptions may include HTTP(S)-based tools that are used for the administration of the local system, services, or attached devices.

Whitelisting can be used to enforce the policy to ensure compliance.

NOTE: Nessus has not performed this check. Please review the benchmark to ensure target compliance.

Solution

Establish a policy, at minimum, to prohibit administrative accounts from using applications that access the Internet, such as web browsers, or with potential Internet sources, such as email. Ensure the policy is enforced.

The organization may use technical means such as whitelisting to prevent the use of browsers and mail applications to enforce this requirement.

Item Details

Audit Name: DISA Windows Server 2016 STIG v2r3

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 2486198753c8e3248d8d5d2e77ad10cfe8dc236e4262ce1db91b6da44ca2ac78

Detections

Analytics

WN16-00-000040 - Administrative accounts must not be used with applications that access the Internet, such as web browsers, or with potential Internet sources, such as email.

Information

Solution

See Also

Item Details