Title

Windows Server 2019 reversible password encryption must be disabled. (Cat I impact)

Discussion

Storing passwords using reversible encryption is essentially the same as storing clear-text versions of the passwords, which are easily compromised. For this reason, this policy must never be enabled.

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 "Store passwords using reversible encryption" 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 "ClearTextPassword" equals "1" in the file, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Store passwords using reversible encryption" to "Disabled".

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-205653r877397_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-205653

Group Title: SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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