Title

The domain controller must be configured to allow reset of machine account passwords. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

Enabling this setting on all domain controllers in a domain prevents domain members from changing their computer account passwords. If these passwords are weak or compromised, the inability to change them may leave these computers vulnerable.

Check Content

1. Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. 2. Navigate to Local Policies and select Security Options. 3. If the value for “Domain Controller: Refuse machine account password changes” is set to "Enabled", then this is a finding.

Fix Text

Set the value for “Domain Controller: Refuse machine account password changes” to “Disabled”. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters\ Value Name: RefusePasswordChange Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-41844r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-4408

Group Title: Computer Account Password Change

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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