Title

The maximum password age must be configured to 60 days or less. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

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

Check Content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to 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-25009r2_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-1104

Group Title: Maximum Password Age

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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