Details
Service supporting the audio gateway role of the Bluetooth Handsfree Profile.
The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled.
Rationale:
Bluetooth technology has inherent security risks – especially prior to the v2.1 standard. Wireless Bluetooth traffic is not well encrypted (if at all), so in a high-security environment, it should not be permitted, in spite of the added inconvenience of not being able to use Bluetooth devices.
Solution
To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to: Disabled:
Computer ConfigurationPoliciesWindows SettingsSecurity SettingsSystem ServicesBluetooth Audio Gateway Service
Note: This service was first introduced in Windows 10 Release 1803. It appears to have replaced the older Bluetooth Handsfree Service (BthHFSrv), which was removed from Windows in that release (it is not simply a rename, but a different service).
Impact:
Bluetooth hands-free devices will not function properly with the computer.
Default Value:
Manual (Trigger Start)
Supportive Information
The following resource is also helpful.
This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: System and Information Integrity.This control applies to the following type of system Windows.