Title

Remote calls to the Security Account Manager (SAM) must be restricted to Administrators. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The Windows Security Account Manager (SAM) stores users' passwords. Restricting remote rpc connections to the SAM to Administrators helps protect those credentials.

Check Content

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\ Value Name: RestrictRemoteSAM Value Type: REG_SZ Value: O:BAG:BAD:(A;;RC;;;BA)

Fix Text

Navigate to the policy Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM". Select "Edit Security" to configure the "Security descriptor:". Add "Administrators" in "Group or user names:" if it is not already listed (this is the default). Select "Administrators" in "Group or user names:". Select "Allow" for "Remote Access" in "Permissions for "Administrators". Click "OK". The "Security descriptor:" must be populated with "O:BAG:BAD:(A;;RC;;;BA) for the policy to be enforced.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-253457r958726_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-253457

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.