Title

The "Impersonate a client after authentication" user right must only be assigned to Administrators, Service, Local Service, and Network Service. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Inappropriate granting of user rights can provide system, administrative, and other high-level capabilities. The "Impersonate a client after authentication" user right allows a program to impersonate another user or account to run on their behalf. An attacker could potentially use this to elevate privileges.

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 "Impersonate a client after authentication" user right, this is a finding: Administrators LOCAL SERVICE NETWORK SERVICE SERVICE

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> User Rights Assignment >> "Impersonate a client after authentication" to only include the following groups or accounts: Administrators LOCAL SERVICE NETWORK SERVICE SERVICE

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-253498r958726_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-253498

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.