Title

Automatic logons must be disabled. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

Allowing a system to automatically log on when the machine is booted could give access to any unauthorized individual who restarts the computer. Automatic logon with administrator privileges would give full access to an unauthorized individual. If this setting was enabled at any point, a password may also be present in the registry, and must be removed.

Check Content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for "MSS: (AutoAdminLogon) Enable Automatic Logon (not recommended)" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ Value Name: AutoAdminLogon Type: REG_SZ Value: 0 If DefaultPassword in the same registry path contains a value, this is also a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> "MSS: (AutoAdminLogon) Enable Automatic Logon (not recommended)" to "Disabled". Ensure no passwords are stored in the "DefaultPassword" registry value noted below: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ Value Name: DefaultPassword

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-29005r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-1145

Group Title:

Expert Comments

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