/windows_hardening

Windows Hardening settings and configurations

Primary LanguagePowerShellMIT LicenseMIT

HardeningKitty and Windows 10 Hardening

Introduction

The project started as a simple hardening list for Windows 10. After some time, HardeningKitty was created to simplify the hardening of Windows. Now, HardeningKitty supports guidelines from Microsoft, CIS Benchmarks, DoD STIG and BSI SiSyPHuS Win10. And of course my own hardening list.

This is a hardening checklist that can be used in private and business environments for hardening Windows 10. The checklist can be used for all Windows versions, but in Windows 10 Home the Group Policy Editor is not integrated and the adjustment must be done directly in the registry. For this, there is the HailMary mode from HardeningKitty.

The settings should be seen as security and privacy recommendation and should be carefully checked whether they will affect the operation of your infrastructure or impact the usability of key functions. It is important to weigh security against usability.

The project started with the creation of a simple hardening checklist for Windows 10. The focus has shifted to the audit of various well-known frameworks / benchmarks with the development of HardeningKitty. Meanwhile, various CIS benchmarks and Microsoft Security Baselines are supported. With the development of the HailMary mode, it will also be possible to apply settings of any Hardening Checklist on a Windows system.

Policy Analyzer (deprecated)

Policy Analzyer reads out and compares local registry and local policy values to a defined baseline. The PolicyRule file from aha-181 contains all rules which are needed to check Group Policy and Registry settings that are defined in the Windows 10 Hardening checklist.

Policy Analyzer supports the hardening checklist up to version 0.2.0, additional entries are not yet supported. Policy Analyzer is not able to query all values of the hardening checklist. With the development of HardeningKitty, the support of Policy Analyzer has become obsolete. There will no longer be a new version of the PolicyRule file.

HardeningKitty

HardeningKitty supports hardening of a Windows system. The configuration of the system is retrieved and assessed using a finding list. In addition, the system can be hardened according to predefined values. HardeningKitty reads settings from the registry and uses other modules to read configurations outside the registry.

The script was developed for English systems. It is possible that in other languages the analysis is incorrect. Please create an issue if this occurs.

Signed version

The development of HardeningKitty happens in this repository. In the repository of scip AG is a stable version of HardeningKitty that has been signed with the code signing certificate of scip AG. This means that HardeningKitty can also be run on systems that only allow signed scripts.

How to run

Run the script with administrative privileges to access machine settings. For the user settings it is better to execute them with a normal user account. Ideally, the user account is used for daily work.

Download HardeningKitty and copy it to the target system (script and lists). Then HardeningKitty can be imported and executed:

PS C:\tmp> Import-Module .\Invoke-HardeningKitty.ps1
PS C:\tmp> Invoke-HardeningKitty -EmojiSupport


         =^._.^=
        _(      )/  HardeningKitty 0.6.1-1628003775


[*] 8/7/2021 7:27:04 AM - Starting HardeningKitty


[*] 8/7/2021 7:27:04 AM - Getting machine information
[*] Hostname: DESKTOP-DG83TOD
[*] Domain: WORKGROUP

...

[*] 8/7/2021 7:27:09 AM - Starting Category Account Policies
[😺] ID 1103, Store passwords using reversible encryption, Result=0, Severity=Passed
[😺] ID 1100, Account lockout threshold, Result=10, Severity=Passed
[😺] ID 1101, Account lockout duration, Result=30, Severity=Passed

...

[*] 8/7/2021 7:27:09 AM - Starting Category User Rights Assignment
[😿] ID 1200, Access this computer from the network, Result=BUILTIN\Administrators;BUILTIN\Users, Recommended=BUILTIN\Administrators, Severity=Medium

...

[*] 8/7/2021 7:27:12 AM - Starting Category Administrative Templates: Printer
[🙀] ID 1764, Point and Print Restrictions: When installing drivers for a new connection (CVE-2021-34527), Result=1, Recommended=0, Severity=High
[🙀] ID 1765, Point and Print Restrictions: When updating drivers for an existing connection (CVE-2021-34527), Result=2, Recommended=0, Severity=High

...

[*] 8/7/2021 7:27:19 AM - Starting Category MS Security Guide
[😿] ID 2200, LSA Protection, Result=, Recommended=1, Severity=Medium
[😼] ID 2201, Lsass.exe audit mode, Result=, Recommended=8, Severity=Low

...

[*] 8/7/2021 7:27:48 AM - HardeningKitty is done
[*] 8/7/2021 7:27:48 AM - Your HardeningKitty score is: 4.82. HardeningKitty Statistics: Total checks: 325 - Passed: 213, Low: 33, Medium: 76, High: 3.

Examples

Audit

HardeningKitty performs an audit, saves the results in a CSV file and creates a log file. The files are automatically named and receive a timestamp. Using the parameters ReportFile or LogFile, it is also possible to assign your own name and path.

Invoke-HardeningKitty -Mode Audit -Log -Report

HardeningKitty can be executed with a specific list defined by the parameter FileFindingList. If HardeningKitty is run several times on the same system, it may be useful to hide the machine information. The parameter SkipMachineInformation is used for this purpose.

Invoke-HardeningKitty -FileFindingList .\lists\finding_list_0x6d69636b_user.csv -SkipMachineInformation

HardeningKitty ready only the setting with the default list, and saves the results in a specific file

Invoke-HardeningKitty -Mode Config -Report -ReportFile C:\tmp\my_hardeningkitty_report.log

Backup

Backups are important. Really important. Therefore, HardeningKitty also has a function to retrieve the current configuration and save it in a form that can be easily restored. The Backup switch specifies that the file is written in form of a finding list and can thus be used for the HailMary mode. The name and path of the backup can be specified with the parameter BackupFile.

Invoke-HardeningKitty -Mode Config -Backup

Please test this function to see if it really works properly on the target system before making any serious changes. A Schrödinger's backup is dangerous.

HailMary

The HailMary method is very powerful. It can be used to deploy a finding list on a system. All findings are set on this system as recommended in the list. With power comes responsibility. Please use this mode only if you know what you are doing. Be sure to have a backup of the system.

Invoke-HardeningKitty -Mode HailMary -Log -Report -FileFindingList .\lists\finding_list_0x6d69636b_machine.csv

HardeningKitty Score

Each Passed finding gives 4 points, a Low finding gives 2 points, a Medium finding gives 1 point and a High Finding gives 0 points.

The formula for the HardeningKitty Score is (Points achieved / Maximum points) * 5 + 1.

Rating

Score Rating Casual Rating Professional
6 😹 Excellent Excellent
5 😺 Well done Good
4 😼 Sufficient Sufficient
3 😿 You should do better Insufficient
2 🙀 Weak Insufficient
1 😾 Bogus Insufficient

HardeningKitty Interface

ataumo build a web based interface for HardeningKitty. The tool can be used to create your own lists and provides additional information on the hardening settings. The source code is under AGPL license and there is a demo site.

Last Update

HardeningKitty can be used to audit systems against the following baselines / benchmarks:

Name System Version Version
0x6d69636b (Machine) 20H2, 21H1
0x6d69636b (User) 20H2, 21H1
BSI SiSyPHuS Windows 10 hoher Schutzbedarf Domänenmitglied (Machine) 1809 1.0
BSI SiSyPHuS Windows 10 hoher Schutzbedarf Domänenmitglied (User) 1809 1.0
BSI SiSyPHuS Windows 10 normaler Schutzbedarf Domänenmitglied (Machine) 1809 1.0
BSI SiSyPHuS Windows 10 normaler Schutzbedarf Domänenmitglied (User) 1809 1.0
BSI SiSyPHuS Windows 10 normaler Schutzbedarf Einzelrechner (Machine) 1809 1.0
BSI SiSyPHuS Windows 10 normaler Schutzbedarf Einzelrechner (User) 1809 1.0
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (Machine) 1809 1.6.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (User) 1809 1.6.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (Machine) 1903 1.7.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (User) 1903 1.7.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (Machine) 1909 1.8.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (User) 1909 1.8.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (Machine) 2004 1.9.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (User) 2004 1.9.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (Machine) 20H2 1.10.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (User) 20H2 1.10.1
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (Machine) 21H1 1.11.0
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (User) 21H1 1.11.0
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (Machine) 21H2 1.12.0
CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (User) 21H2 1.12.0
CIS Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise (Machine) 21H2 1.0.0
CIS Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise (User) 21H2 1.0.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (Machine) R2 2.4.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (User) R2 2.4.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (Machine) 1607 1.2.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (User) 1607 1.2.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (Machine) 1607 1.3.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2016 (User) 1607 1.3.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (Machine) 1809 1.1.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (User) 1809 1.1.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (Machine) 1809 1.2.1
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2019 (User) 1809 1.2.1
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (Machine) 21H2 1.0.0
CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (User) 21H2 1.0.0
DoD Microsoft Windows 10 STIG (Machine) 20H2 v2r1
DoD Microsoft Windows 10 STIG (User) 20H2 v2r1
DoD Windows Server 2019 Domain Controller STIG (Machine) 20H2 v2r1
DoD Windows Server 2019 Domain Controller STIG (User) 20H2 v2r1
DoD Windows Server 2019 Member Server STIG (Machine) 20H2 v2r1
DoD Windows Server 2019 Member Server STIG (User) 20H2 v2r1
DoD Windows Defender Antivirus STIG 20H2 v2r1
DoD Windows Firewall STIG 20H2 v1r7
Microsoft Security baseline for Microsoft Edge 87 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Microsoft Edge 88, 89, 90, 91 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Microsoft Edge 92 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Microsoft Edge 93, 94 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Microsoft Edge 95 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Microsoft Edge 96 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Microsoft Edge 97 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Microsoft Edge 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows 10 2004 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows 10 20H2, 21H1 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows 10 21H2 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows 11 21H2 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows Server (DC) 2004 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows Server (Member) 2004 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows Server (DC) 20H2 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows Server (Member) 20H2 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows Server 2022 (DC) 21H2 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Windows Server 2022 (Member) 21H2 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Office 365 ProPlus (Machine) Sept 2019 Final
Microsoft Security baseline for Office 365 ProPlus (User) Sept 2019 Final
Microsoft Security Baseline for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (Machine) v2104, v2106 Final
Microsoft Security Baseline for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (User) v2104, v2106 Final
Microsoft Security Baseline for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (Machine) v2112 Final
Microsoft Security Baseline for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (User) v2112 Final
Microsoft Security Baseline for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (Machine) v2206 Final
Microsoft Security Baseline for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (User) v2206 Final
Microsoft Windows Server TLS Settings 1809 1.0
Microsoft Windows Server TLS Settings (Future Use with TLSv1.3) 1903 1.0

Sources