Title

User Account Control must switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

User Account Control (UAC) is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting ensures that the elevation prompt is only used in secure desktop mode.

Check Content

UAC requirements are NA on Server Core installations. 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\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\ Value Name: PromptOnSecureDesktop Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1

Fix Text

UAC requirements are NA on Server Core installations. Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> "User Account Control: Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation" to "Enabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-225522r569185_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-225522

Group Title: SRG-OS-000134-GPOS-00068

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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