Title

Caching of logon credentials must be limited. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

The default Windows configuration caches the last logon credentials for users who log on interactively to a system. This feature is provided for system availability reasons, such as the user's machine being disconnected from the network or domain controllers being unavailable. Even though the credential cache is well-protected, if a system is attacked, an unauthorized individual may isolate the password to a domain user account using a password-cracking program and gain access to the domain.

Check Content

If the system is not a member of a domain, this is NA. 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: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ Value Name: CachedLogonsCount Value Type: REG_SZ Value: 4 (or less)

Fix Text

If the system is not a member of a domain, this is NA. Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Interactive Logon: Number of previous logons to cache (in case Domain Controller is not available)" to "4" logons or less.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-226290r794588_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-226290

Group Title: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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