Title

The built-in Microsoft password complexity filter must be enabled. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The use of complex passwords increases their strength against guessing and brute-force attacks. This setting configures the system to verify that newly created passwords conform to the Windows password complexity policy.

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 "Password must meet complexity requirements" is not set to "Enabled", this is a finding. If the site is using a password filter that requires this setting be set to "Disabled" for the filter to be used, this would not be considered a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Password must meet complexity requirements" to "Enabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-253304r1016430_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-253304

Group Title: SRG-OS-000069-GPOS-00037

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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