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

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. (See "Performing Analysis with the Security Configuration and Analysis Snap-in" in the STIG Overview document.) 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-48030r1_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.