Title

The "Create symbolic links" user right must only be assigned to the Administrators group. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. Accounts with the "Create symbolic links" user right can create pointers to other objects, which could potentially expose the system to attack.

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 >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment. If any groups or accounts other than the following are granted the "Create symbolic links" user right, this is a finding: Administrators If the workstation has an approved use of Hyper-V, such as being used as a dedicated admin workstation using Hyper-V to separate administration and standard user functions, "NT VIRTUAL MACHINES\VIRTUAL MACHINE" may be assigned this user right and is not a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> "Create symbolic links" to only include the following groups or accounts: Administrators

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-253489r958726_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-253489

Group Title: SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.