Check: WN11-00-000260
Microsoft Windows 11 STIG:
WN11-00-000260
(in versions v2 r2 through v1 r1)
Title
The Windows 11 time service must synchronize with an appropriate DOD time source. (Cat III impact)
Discussion
The Windows Time Service controls time synchronization settings. Time synchronization is essential for authentication and auditing purposes. If the Windows Time Service is used, it must synchronize with a secure, authorized time source. Domain-joined systems are automatically configured to synchronize with domain controllers. If an NTP server is configured, it must synchronize with a secure, authorized time source.
Check Content
Review the Windows time service configuration. Open an elevated "Command Prompt" (run as administrator). Enter "W32tm /query /configuration". Domain-joined systems (excluding the domain controller with the PDC emulator role): If the value for "Type" under "NTP Client" is not "NT5DS", this is a finding.
Fix Text
Configure the system to synchronize time with an appropriate DOD time source. Domain-joined systems use NT5DS to synchronize time from other systems in the domain by default. If the system needs to be configured to an NTP server, configure the system to point to an authorized time server by setting the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> System >> Windows Time Service >> Time Providers >> "Configure Windows NTP Client" to "Enabled", and configure the "NtpServer" field to point to an appropriate DOD time server. The US Naval Observatory operates stratum 1 time servers, identified at https://www.cnmoc.usff.navy.mil/Our-Commands/United-States-Naval-Observatory/Precise-Time-Department/Network-Time-Protocol-NTP/. Time synchronization will occur through a hierarchy of time servers down to the local level. Clients and lower-level servers will synchronize with an authorized time server in the hierarchy.
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-253296r1016426_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-253296
Group Title: SRG-OS-000355-GPOS-00143
Expert Comments
CCIs
| Number | Definition |
|---|---|
| CCI-001861 |
Invoke a full system shutdown, partial system shutdown, or degraded operational mode with limited mission or business functionality available in the event of organization-defined audit logging failures, unless an alternate audit logging capability exists. |
| CCI-001891 |
The information system compares internal information system clocks on an organization-defined frequency with an organization-defined authoritative time source. |
| CCI-004923 |
Compare the internal system clocks on an organization-defined frequency with organization-defined authoritative time source. |