Title

Windows Server 2016 built-in guest account must be disabled. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

A system faces an increased vulnerability threat if the built-in guest account is not disabled. This is a known account that exists on all Windows systems and cannot be deleted. This account is initialized during the installation of the operating system with no password assigned.

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 >> Local Policies >> Security Options. If the value for "Accounts: Guest account status" is not set to "Disabled", this is a finding. For server core installations, run the following command: Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt If "EnableGuestAccount" equals "1" in the file, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Accounts: Guest account status" to "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-225024r569186_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-225024

Group Title: SRG-OS-000121-GPOS-00062

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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