Disable or Remove Feature or Program

Remove or deny access to unnecessary and potentially vulnerable software to prevent abuse by adversaries.

ID: M0942
Security Controls: IEC 62443-3-3:2013 - SR 7.7, IEC 62443-4-2:2019 - CR 7.7, NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 - CM-7
Version: 1.1
Created: 11 June 2019
Last Modified: 07 October 2026

Techniques Addressed by Mitigation

Domain ID Name Use
ICS T0830 Adversary-in-the-Middle

Disable unnecessary legacy network protocols that may be used for AiTM if applicable.

ICS T1701 Command and Scripting Interpreter

Consider removing or restricting features that are unnecessary to an asset's intended function within the control environment.

.001 PowerShell

Where PowerShell is not required for the documented function of an ICS asset, disable or remove access to it. Do not apply this control to systems where vendor support, engineering workflows, backup, patching, or approved automation depend on PowerShell.

.004 Visual Basic

Disable Windows Script Host, Office macro capability, or other VB execution surfaces only on ICS assets where they are not required by validated vendor or engineering workflows.

.006 JavaScript

Disable or remove JavaScript/JScript execution surfaces that are not required for the documented role of an ICS asset, while preserving validated HMI, vendor, and engineering dependencies.

ICS T0885 Commonly Used Port

Ensure that unnecessary ports and services are closed to prevent risk of discovery and potential exploitation.

ICS T0816 Device Restart/Shutdown

Ensure remote commands that enable device shutdown are disabled if they are not necessary. Examples include DNP3's 0x0D function code or unnecessary device management functions.

ICS T0866 Exploitation of Remote Services

Ensure that unnecessary ports and services are closed to prevent risk of discovery and potential exploitation.

ICS T0822 External Remote Services

Consider removal of remote services which are not regularly in use, or only enabling them when required (e.g., vendor remote access). Ensure all external remote access point (e.g., jump boxes, VPN concentrator) are configured with least functionality, especially the removal of unnecessary services. [1]

ICS T0847 Replication Through Removable Media

Consider the disabling of features such as AutoRun.

References