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

Documentable No

Rule ID SV-253364r958358_rule

CCI References

CCI-002418

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.

Check Procedure

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)

Fix Action

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".