The system must be configured to limit how often keep-alive packets are sent.

From Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 Domain Controller Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-002385

SV-52927r1_rule The system must be configured to limit how often keep-alive packets are sent.

Vulnerability discussion

This setting controls how often TCP sends a keep-alive packet in attempting to verify that an idle connection is still intact. A higher value could allow an attacker to cause a denial of service with numerous connections.

Check content

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\ Value Name: KeepAliveTime Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 300000 (or less)

Fix text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> "MSS: (KeepAliveTime) How often keep-alive packets are sent in milliseconds" to "300000 or 5 minutes (recommended)" or less. (See "Updating the Windows Security Options File" in the STIG Overview document if MSS settings are not visible in the system's policy tools.)

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.