TCP data retransmissions are not controlled.

From Windows 2003 Member Server Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with IA controls: ECSC-1

SV-29371r1_rule TCP data retransmissions are not controlled.

Vulnerability discussion

In a SYN flood attack, the attacker sends a continuous stream of SYN packets to a server, and the server leaves the half-open connections open until it is overwhelmed and no longer is able to respond to legitimate requests.

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Fix text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “MSS: (TcpMaxDataRetransmissions) How many times unacknowledged data is retransmitted (3 recommended, 5 is the default)” to “3” or less.

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