CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Release 1909 Benchmark

5.18 (L2) Ensure 'PNRP Machine Name Publication Service (PNRPAutoReg)' is set to 'Disabled' (Scored)

ProfileApplicability:

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

Description:

This service publishes a machine name using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol. Configuration is managed via the netsh context ‘p2p pnrp peer’.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled .

Rationale:

Peer Name Resolution Protocol is a distributed and (mostly) serverless way to handle name resolution of clients with each other. In a high security environment, it is more secure to rely on centralized name resolution methods maintained by authorized staff.

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\PNRPAutoReg: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\PNRP Machine Name Publication Service

Impact:

Some peer-to-peer and collaborative applications, such as Remote Assistance, may not function.

Default Value:

Manual

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