WN16-00-000090 - Windows Server 2016 must employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs.

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Information

Using a whitelist provides a configuration management method to allow the execution of only authorized software. Using only authorized software decreases risk by limiting the number of potential vulnerabilities.

The organization must identify authorized software programs and only permit execution of authorized software. The process used to identify software programs that are authorized to execute on organizational information systems is commonly referred to as whitelisting.

NOTE: Nessus has provided the target output to assist in reviewing the benchmark to ensure target compliance.

Solution

Configure an application whitelisting program to employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs.

Configuration of whitelisting applications will vary by the program. AppLocker is a whitelisting application built into Windows Server.

If AppLocker is used, it is configured through group policy in Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Application Control Policies >> AppLocker.

Implementation guidance for AppLocker is available in the NSA paper 'Application Whitelisting using Microsoft AppLocker' at the following link:

https://www.iad.gov/iad/library/ia-guidance/tech-briefs/application-whitelisting-using-microsoft-applocker.cfm

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_MS_Windows_Server_2016_V2R5_STIG.zip

Item Details

References: CAT|II, CCI|CCI-001774, Rule-ID|SV-224826r852288_rule, STIG-ID|WN16-00-000090, STIG-Legacy|SV-87887, STIG-Legacy|V-73235, Vuln-ID|V-224826

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: bbaae683e2da027cc01121312da0bb92753a6ddd34f5e1751c5c40d0882e3a97