Windows Server 2019 default permissions of global system objects must be strengthened.

STIG ID: WN19-SO-000370 |  SRG: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227 |  Severity: low |  CCI:  | Vulnerability Id: V-205923

Vulnerability Discussion

Windows systems maintain a global list of shared system resources such as DOS device names, mutexes, and semaphores. Each type of object is created with a default Discretionary Access Control List (DACL) that specifies who can access the objects with what permissions. When this policy is enabled, the default DACL is stronger, allowing non-administrative users to read shared objects but not to modify shared objects they did not create.

Check

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g., Symbolic Links)" to "Enabled".

Fix

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\

Value Name: ProtectionMode

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000001 (1)