CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Release 1909 Benchmark

9.1.3 (L1) Ensure 'Windows Firewall: Domain: Outbound connections' is set to 'Allow (default)' (Scored)

ProfileApplicability:

 Level 1 (L1) - Corporate/Enterprise Environment (general use)

Description:

This setting determines the behavior for outbound connections that do not match an outbound firewall rule.

The recommended state for this setting is: Allow (default) .

Rationale:

Some people believe that it is prudent to block all outbound connections except those specifically approved by the user or administrator. Microsoft disagrees with this opinion, blocking outbound connections by default will force users to deal with a large number of dialog boxes prompting them to authorize or block applications such as their web browser or instant messaging software. Additionally, blocking outbound traffic has little value because if an attacker has compromised the system they can reconfigure the firewall anyway.

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\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\DomainProfile: DefaultOutboundAction

Remediation:

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Allow (default) :

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Windows Firewall with Advanced Security\Windows Firewall with Advanced Security\Windows Firewall Properties\Domain Profile\Outbound connections

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