Title

Windows Server 2016 minimum password age must be configured to at least one day. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Permitting passwords to be changed in immediate succession within the same day allows users to cycle passwords through their history database. This enables users to effectively negate the purpose of mandating periodic password changes.

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 "Minimum password age" is set to "0" days ("Password can be changed immediately"), this is a finding. For server core installations, run the following command: Secedit /Export /Areas SecurityPolicy /CFG C:\Path\FileName.Txt If "MinimumPasswordAge" equals "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 >> "Minimum password age" to at least "1" day.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-224871r982188_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-224871

Group Title: SRG-OS-000075-GPOS-00043

Expert Comments

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