Title

Unencrypted password is sent to third-party SMB server. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Some non-Microsoft SMB servers only support unencrypted (plain text) password authentication. Sending plain text passwords across the network, when authenticating to an SMB server, reduces the overall security of the environment. Check with the vendor of the SMB server to see if there is a way to support encrypted password authentication.

Check Content

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “Microsoft Network Client: Send unencrypted password to connect to third-party SMB servers” to “Disabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-25056r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-1141

Group Title: Unencrypted Password is Sent to SMB Server.

Expert Comments

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