macOS 13.2 - Cannot save changes to Firewall settings

I think I have had this problem since updating to macOS 13.0.1. Changes to the macOS Firewall settings do not stick.

I have done a number of experiments with settings for a few processes. No matter what changes I make, the Firewall settings revert to the previously saved settings. Those previously saved settings included to block all incoming connections.

As an experiment, I turned that "Block all incoming connections" and changed to the setting for the "mediasharingd" process to "Block". I click on "OK", then return to the Firewall=>Options to make sure the changes were saved. They were. I closed and re-opened System Settings then returned to Firewall=>Options. The settings had reverted: mediasharingd was set to "Allow" and "Block all incoming connections" was back on.

I carried out that experiment using a Standard user account, then, again, using an Admin user account. The result was the same.

There has been one change with the release of macOS 13.2: I no longer have to supply admin credentials to change the Firewall Options settings. That is, any user account can change those settings without entering admin credentials. Surely this cannot be considered secure.

Is there a way to force macOS to save and retain changes to Firewall settings ?

Thanks.