The Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client must not allow unencrypted traffic.

STIG ID: WN16-CC-000510  |  SRG: SRG-OS-000393-GPOS-00173 |  Severity: medium |  CCI: CCI-002890,CCI-003123 |  Vulnerability Id: V-224959 | 

Vulnerability Discussion

Unencrypted remote access to a system can allow sensitive information to be compromised. Windows remote management connections must be encrypted to prevent this.

Satisfies: SRG-OS-000393-GPOS-00173, SRG-OS-000394-GPOS-00174

Check

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: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WinRM\Client\

Value Name: AllowUnencryptedTraffic

Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000000 (0)

Fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Remote Management (WinRM) >> WinRM Client >> "Allow unencrypted traffic" to "Disabled".