The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security must display notifications when a program is blocked from receiving an inbound connection when connected to a private network.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-17430	WNFWA-000014	SV-54891r3_rule		Low

Description
A firewall provides a line of defense against attack. To be effective, it must be enabled and properly configured. The display of notifications to the user when a program is blocked from receiving an inbound connection on a private network must be enabled to alert the user of potential issues.

STIG	Date
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Security Technical Implementation Guide	2016-10-28

Details

Check Text ( None )
None

Fix Text (F-63503r1_fix)
The preferred method of configuring the firewall settings is with a policy, particularly in a domain environment. Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security -> Windows Firewall Properties (this link will be in the right pane) -> Private Profile Tab -> Settings (select Customize) -> Firewall settings, "Display a notification" to "Yes". In addition to using policies, systems may also be configured using the firewall GUI or Netsh commands. These methods may be more appropriate for standalone systems. The configuration settings in the GUI are the same as those specified in the policy above. Windows Firewall Properties will be a link in the center pane after opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. The following Netsh commands may also be used to configure this setting: "Netsh advfirewall set privateprofile settings inboundusernotification enable". Or "Netsh advfirewall set allprofiles settings inboundusernotification enable".

Fix Text (F-63503r1_fix)

The preferred method of configuring the firewall settings is with a policy, particularly in a domain environment.

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security -> Windows Firewall Properties (this link will be in the right pane) -> Private Profile Tab -> Settings (select Customize) -> Firewall settings, "Display a notification" to "Yes".

In addition to using policies, systems may also be configured using the firewall GUI or Netsh commands. These methods may be more appropriate for standalone systems.
The configuration settings in the GUI are the same as those specified in the policy above. Windows Firewall Properties will be a link in the center pane after opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

The following Netsh commands may also be used to configure this setting:
"Netsh advfirewall set privateprofile settings inboundusernotification enable".
Or
"Netsh advfirewall set allprofiles settings inboundusernotification enable".