Title

Windows Server 2016 password history must be configured to 24 passwords remembered. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

A system is more vulnerable to unauthorized access when system users recycle the same password several times without being required to change to a unique password on a regularly scheduled basis. This enables users to effectively negate the purpose of mandating periodic password changes. The default value is "24" for Windows domain systems. DoD has decided this is the appropriate value for all Windows systems.

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 "Enforce password history" is less than "24" passwords remembered, this is a finding. For server core installations, run the following command: Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt If "PasswordHistorySize" is less than "24" in the file, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Enforce password history" to "24" passwords remembered.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-224869r982201_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-224869

Group Title: SRG-OS-000077-GPOS-00045

Expert Comments

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