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Desk

WN11-CC-000055 Simultaneous connections to the internet or a Windows domain must be limited.

DISA STIG library V2R11
All changes in this version
first version loaded CAT II

Maps to SC-8 via CCI-002418

Title

Simultaneous connections to the internet or a Windows domain must be limited.

Control

The default behavior for "Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain" is "Enabled". If it exists and is configured with a value of "0", this is a finding. Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy\ Value Name: fMinimizeConnections Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 3 (or if the Value Name does not exist)

Discussion

Multiple network connections can provide additional attack vectors to a system and must be limited. The "Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain" setting prevents systems from automatically establishing multiple connections. When both wired and wireless connections are available, for example, the less preferred connection (typically wireless) will be disconnected.

Related controls

CCI-002418

Fix

The default behavior for "Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain" is "Enabled". If this needs to be corrected, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Network >> Windows Connection Manager >> "Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain" to "Enabled". Under "Options", set "Minimize Policy Options" to "3 = Prevent Wi-Fi When on Ethernet".