Windows Server 2019 Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client must not allow unencrypted traffic.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium | V-205816 | SRG-OS-000393-GPOS-00173 | WN19-CC-000480 | SV-205816r958848_rule | 2026-02-12 | 3 |
Description
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
ℹ️ 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".