CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Release 1909 Benchmark

5.2 (L2) Ensure 'Bluetooth Support Service (bthserv)' is set to 'Disabled' (Scored)

ProfileApplicability:

 Level 2 (L2) - High Security/Sensitive Data Environment (limited functionality)

Description:

The Bluetooth service supports discovery and association of remote Bluetooth devices.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled .

Rationale:

Bluetooth technology has inherent security risks - especially prior to the v2.1 standard. Wireless Bluetooth traffic is not well encrypted (if at all), so in a high-security environment, it should not be permitted, in spite of the added inconvenience of not being able to use Bluetooth devices.

Audit:

Navigate to the UI Path articulated in the Remediation section and confirm it is set as prescribed. This group policy setting is backed by the following registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\bthserv:Start

Remediation:

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to: Disabled .

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\System Services\Bluetooth Support Service

Impact:

Already installed Bluetooth devices may fail to operate properly and new devices may be prevented from being discovered or associated. If Bluetooth devices were installed, then some Windows components, such as Devices and Printers, may fail to operate correctly - including hanging/freezing when opened. The solution, besides re-enabling this service, is to disable or delete the offending Bluetooth device(s) in Device Manager, or disable the device altogether via the system BIOS (if it is an on-board Bluetooth device).

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