An error occurred:

Check: WN11-AC-000045

Microsoft Windows 11 STIG: WN11-AC-000045 (in versions v2 r2 through v1 r1)

Title

Reversible password encryption must be disabled. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

Storing passwords using reversible encryption is essentially the same as storing clear-text versions of the passwords. For this reason, this policy must never be enabled.

Check Content

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor. Run "gpedit.msc". Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy. If the value for "Store password using reversible encryption" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Store passwords using reversible encryption" to "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-253305r1016431_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-253305

Group Title: SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041

Expert Comments

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CCIs

CCIs tied to check.
Number Definition
CCI-000196

The information system, for password-based authentication, stores only cryptographically-protected passwords.
CCI-004062

For password-based authentication, store passwords using an approved salted key derivation function, preferably using a keyed hash.

Controls

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.
Number Title
IA-5(1)

Password-based Authentication