The Exchange Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) service must be disabled.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-228372 | EX16-MB-000190 | SV-228372r879587_rule | CCI-000381 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| POP3 is not approved for use within the DoD. It uses a clear-text-based user name and password and does not support the DoD standard for PKI for email access. User name and password could easily be captured from the network, allowing a malicious user to access other system features. Uninstalling or disabling the service will prevent the use of POP3. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Exchange 2016 Mailbox Server Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2023-12-18 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-228372r879587_chk)
Open the Windows Power Shell and enter the following command:
Get-ItemProperty 'hklm:\system\currentcontrolset\services\MSExchangePOP3' | Select Start
Note: The hklm:\system\currentcontrolset\services\MSExchangePOP3 value must be in single quotes.
If the value of "Start" is not set to "4", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-30590r496913_fix)
Open the Windows Power Shell and enter the following command:
services.msc
Navigate to and double-click on "Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend".
Click on the "General" tab.
In the "Startup Type" dropdown, select "Disabled".
Click the "OK" button.