CS0-003 Vulnerability Management Practice Question
During a configuration compliance scan using OpenSCAP, a security analyst finds that several Windows servers have the 'Network access: Do not allow anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts' setting set to 'Disabled'. This finding corresponds to a CIS Benchmark recommendation. Which of the following describes the most appropriate remediation step for this finding?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable the policy 'Network access: Do not allow anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts' via Group Policy.
The setting should be enabled to prevent anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts. The remediation is to change the policy setting via Group Policy or local security policy.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Disable the Guest account on all servers.
Why it's wrong here
While disabling the Guest account is a fundamental security best practice, it does not prevent anonymous users from querying the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) database. Anonymous sessions (null sessions) use the 'NT AUTHORITY\ANONYMOUS LOGON' identity rather than the Guest account, meaning this action fails to remediate the specific OpenSCAP compliance finding.
- ✗
Apply a registry key to disable anonymous enumeration.
Why it's wrong here
Although modifying the registry directly (such as configuring the RestrictAnonymousSAM value) can technically mitigate this vulnerability, it is not the preferred enterprise remediation method. Managing these settings via Group Policy Objects (GPOs) ensures consistent enforcement across the domain, prevents configuration drift, and aligns with CIS benchmarks and standard administrative practices.
- ✗
Restrict anonymous access using IPsec rules.
Why it's wrong here
IPsec rules operate at the network layer to encrypt and authenticate traffic between hosts, but they cannot granularly control application-layer access to the SAM database. Attempting to block anonymous access via IPsec would either fail to address the internal protocol-level query or inadvertently block legitimate, authenticated network communications.
- ✓
Enable the policy 'Network access: Do not allow anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts' via Group Policy.
Why this is correct
This Group Policy setting directly addresses the OpenSCAP finding by preventing unauthenticated users from enumerating domain or local account names and shares. Enabling this policy enforces the recommended CIS benchmark control, securing the SAM database against reconnaissance techniques like null session enumeration without disrupting legitimate system operations.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Compliance Reporting
Key term
Compliance scan
A compliance scan is an automated security assessment that checks systems, networks, and applications against a defined set of regulatory or organizational standards to verify adherence to required policies.
Key term
Security policy
A security policy is a formal set of rules and guidelines that an organization establishes to protect its information assets and technology resources.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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