Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of Forescout Platform Administration and Deployment:
According to the Forescout CounterACT HPS Inspection Engine Configuration Guide Version 10.8, SMB (Server Message Block) is required for Windows Manageability because scripts run on endpoints are copied to a temp directory and run locally on the endpoint.
SMB Purpose for Windows Management:
According to the HPS Inspection Engine guide:
"Server Message Block (SMB) is a protocol for file and resource sharing. CounterACT uses this protocol with WMI or RPC methods to inspect and manage endpoints. This protocol must be available to perform the following:
Resolve file-related properties
Resolve script properties
Run script actions"
Script Execution Process Using SMB:
According to the documentation:
When WMI is used for Remote Inspection:
CounterACT downloads scripts - Scripts are transferred FROM CounterACT TO the endpoint using SMB protocol
Scripts stored in temp directory - By default, scripts are downloaded to and run from:
Non-interactive scripts: %TEMP%\fstmp\ directory
Interactive scripts: %TEMP% directory of currently logged-in user
Scripts execute locally - Scripts are executed ON the endpoint itself (not remotely executed from CounterACT)
Script Execution Locations:
According to the detailed documentation:
For Remote Inspection on Windows endpoints:
text
Non-interactive scripts are downloaded to and run from:
%TEMP%\fstmp\
(Typically %TEMP% is c:\windows\temp\)
Interactive scripts are downloaded to and run from:
%TEMP% directory of the currently logged-in user
For SecureConnector on Windows endpoints:
text
When deployed as a Service:
%TEMP%\fstmpsc\
When deployed as a Permanent Application:
%TEMP% directory of the currently logged-in user
SMB Requirements for Script Execution:
According to the documentation:
To execute scripts via SMB on Windows endpoints:
Port Requirements:
Windows 7 and above: Port 445/TCP
Earlier versions (XP, Vista): Port 139/TCP
Required Services:
SMB Signing (optional but recommended):
Can be configured to require digitally signed SMB communication
Helps prevent SMB relay attacks
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Scripts run on CounterACT are copied to a temp directory and run locally on the endpoint - Scripts don't RUN on CounterACT; they're copied FROM CounterACT TO the endpoint
B. Scripts run on endpoints are copied to a Linux script repository - Forescout endpoints are Windows machines, not Linux; also no "Linux script repository" is involved
C. Scripts run on endpoints are copied to a temp directory and run remotely from CounterACT - Scripts run LOCALLY on the endpoint, not remotely from CounterACT
D. Scripts run on CounterACT are copied to a script repository and run remotely from CounterACT - Inverts the direction; CounterACT doesn't copy TO a repository; it copies TO endpoints
Script Execution Flow:
According to the documentation:
text
CounterACT --> (copies via SMB) --> Endpoint Temp Directory --> (executes locally) --> Result
The SMB protocol is essential for this file transfer step, which is why it's required for Windows manageability and script execution.
Referenced Documentation:
CounterACT Endpoint Module HPS Inspection Engine Configuration Guide v10.8
Script Execution Services documentation
About SMB documentation
