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AtlasOS includes security tweaks that enhance system security by disabling unnecessary remote access features and preventing anonymous network enumeration. These tweaks are defined in YAML configuration files located in Configuration/tweaks/security/.

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Overview

Security tweaks in AtlasOS focus on:
  • Disabling remote assistance features
  • Blocking anonymous enumeration attacks
  • Restricting remote access capabilities
  • Hardening network security
  • Following security best practices from DISA STIG

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Remote Assistance

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Disable Remote Assistance

---
title: Disable Remote Assistance
description: As Remote Assistance is an unused and a potential vulnerable feature, it is disabled
actions:
  - !registryValue:
    path: 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Remote Assistance'
    value: 'fAllowFullControl'
    data: '0'
    type: REG_DWORD
  - !registryValue:
    path: 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Remote Assistance'
    value: 'fAllowToGetHelp'
    data: '0'
    type: REG_DWORD
  - !run: {exe: 'netsh', args: 'advfirewall firewall set rule group="Remote Assistance" new enable=no'}
This tweak completely disables Windows Remote Assistance by:
  • Disabling full control remote assistance (fAllowFullControl)
  • Disabling all remote assistance requests (fAllowToGetHelp)
  • Blocking Remote Assistance through Windows Firewall
Why disable Remote Assistance?
  • Rarely used by most users
  • Potential security vulnerability if misconfigured
  • Can be exploited by attackers for unauthorized access
  • Users who need remote support typically use third-party tools

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Anonymous Enumeration Prevention

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Block Anonymous Enumeration of SAM Accounts

---
title: Blocks Anonymous Enumeration of SAM Accounts
description: Blocks the anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts to prevent the ability to list the potential points of attack to the system
actions:
  # https://www.stigviewer.com/stig/microsoft_windows_10/2022-04-08/finding/V-220929
  - !registryValue:
    path: 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa'
    value: 'RestrictAnonymousSAM'
    data: '1'
    type: REG_DWORD
This tweak blocks anonymous users from enumerating Security Account Manager (SAM) accounts, preventing attackers from:
  • Listing user accounts on the system
  • Identifying potential targets for attacks
  • Gathering information for social engineering
  • Discovering administrator accounts
Security Standard: This follows DISA STIG finding V-220929 for Windows 10/11.

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Configuration Location

All security tweak YAML files are located in: 
src/playbook/Configuration/tweaks/security/
├── block-anonymous-enum-sam.yml
└── disable-remote-assistance.yml

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Security Tweaks Summary

TweakSecurity Issue AddressedSTIG Reference
Disable Remote AssistanceUnauthorized remote accessBest practice
Block Anonymous SAM EnumerationInformation disclosureV-220929

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Additional Network Security

See also Networking Tweaks for additional security-related network configurations:
  • Restrict Anonymous Share Enumeration
  • Restrict Anonymous Share Access
  • Disable LLMNR Protocol

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YAML Structure

Security tweaks use these action types: 
---
title: Security Tweak Name
description: Security issue being addressed
actions:
  # Modify registry for security setting
  - !registryValue:
    path: 'HKLM\SYSTEM\Path\To\Key'
    value: 'SecurityValue'
    data: '1'
    type: REG_DWORD
  
  # Configure firewall rules
  - !run:
    exe: 'netsh'
    args: 'advfirewall firewall set rule group="Service" new enable=no'

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Security Benefits

These security tweaks provide:
  1. Reduced Attack Surface
    • Fewer remote access vectors
    • Limited information disclosure
    • Disabled unused features
  2. Network Hardening
    • Blocked anonymous enumeration
    • Restricted remote capabilities
    • Firewall rule enforcement
  3. Compliance
    • Follows DISA STIG guidelines
    • Implements security best practices
    • Hardens default Windows configuration

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Security vs Functionality Balance

AtlasOS security tweaks aim to:
  • Disable genuinely unused features (Remote Assistance)
  • Prevent information leakage (anonymous enumeration)
  • Maintain usability for typical desktop use cases
  • Allow users to re-enable features if specifically needed

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DISA STIG Compliance

AtlasOS implements several DISA Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) findings:

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V-220929: Anonymous SAM Enumeration

Severity: Medium
Vulnerability: Anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts allows attackers to identify user accounts
Fix: Set RestrictAnonymousSAM to 1 For more security configurations, see the networking tweaks which implement additional STIG findings related to anonymous share access.

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Implementation Details

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Registry Modifications

Security tweaks modify these key registry locations: 
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Remote Assistance
├── fAllowFullControl: 0 (disabled)
└── fAllowToGetHelp: 0 (disabled)

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
└── RestrictAnonymousSAM: 1 (enabled)

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Firewall Rules

Windows Firewall rules are configured via netsh commands: 
netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Remote Assistance" new enable=no

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Reverting Security Tweaks

If you need to re-enable a security feature:

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Re-enable Remote Assistance

reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Remote Assistance" /v fAllowToGetHelp /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Remote Assistance" new enable=yes

reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" /v RestrictAnonymousSAM /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

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Best Practices

  • Keep security tweaks enabled unless you have a specific need
  • Remote Assistance is rarely needed for personal use
  • Anonymous enumeration should remain blocked
  • Use secure remote desktop alternatives if needed (SSH, secure VPN)
  • Review networking security tweaks for additional hardening

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