Title

Windows Server 2019 passwords for the built-in Administrator account must be changed at least every 60 days. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

The longer a password is in use, the greater the opportunity for someone to gain unauthorized knowledge of the password. The built-in Administrator account is not generally used and its password might not be changed as frequently as necessary. Changing the password for the built-in Administrator account on a regular basis will limit its exposure. Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password.

Check Content

Review the password last set date for the built-in Administrator account. Domain controllers: Open "PowerShell". Enter "Get-ADUser -Filter * -Properties SID, PasswordLastSet | Where SID -Like "*-500" | Ft Name, SID, PasswordLastSet". If the "PasswordLastSet" date is greater than "60" days old, this is a finding. Member servers and standalone or nondomain-joined systems: Open "Command Prompt". Enter 'Net User [account name] | Find /i "Password Last Set"', where [account name] is the name of the built-in administrator account. (The name of the built-in Administrator account must be changed to something other than "Administrator" per STIG requirements.) If the "PasswordLastSet" date is greater than "60" days old, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Change the built-in Administrator account password at least every "60" days. Windows LAPS must be used to change the built-in Administrator account password. Domain-joined systems can configure this to occur more frequently. LAPS will change the password every 30 days by default. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/by-popular-demand-windows-laps-available-now/ba-p/3788747 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/laps/laps-overview#windows-laps-supported-platforms-and-azure-ad-laps-preview-status

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-205657r916199_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-205657

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

Expert Comments

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