Title

The maximum password age must meet requirements. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the passwords. Scheduled changing of passwords hinders the ability of unauthorized system users to crack passwords and gain access to a system.

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 the "Maximum password age" is greater than "60" days, this is a finding. If the value is set to "0" (never expires), this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Account Policies -> Password Policy -> "Maximum password age" to "60" days or less (excluding "0" which is unacceptable).

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-226060r794295_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-226060

Group Title: SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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