Title

Windows Server 2016 maximum password age must be configured to 60 days or less. (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

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor. Run "gpedit.msc". Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> 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. For server core installations, run the following command: Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt If "MaximumPasswordAge" is greater than "60" or equal to "0" in the file, 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-224870r569186_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-224870

Group Title: SRG-OS-000076-GPOS-00044

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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