Microsoft Windows Server 2019 STIG Version Comparison

There are 11 differences between versions v3 r4 (April 2, 2025) (the "left" version) and v3 r6 (Oct. 1, 2025) (the "right" version).

Check WN19-AU-000581 was added to the benchmark in the "right" version.

This check's original form is available here.

Title

Windows Server 2019 must be configured to audit file system failures.

Check Content

Verify that Audit File System auditing has been enabled: Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Advanced Audit Policy Configuration >> System Audit Policies >> Object Access >> Audit File System. If "Audit File System" is not set to "Failure", this is a finding.

Discussion

Maintaining an audit trail of system activity logs can help identify configuration errors, troubleshoot service disruptions, and analyze compromises that have occurred, as well as detect attacks. Audit logs are necessary to provide a trail of evidence in case the system or network is compromised. Collecting this data is essential for analyzing the security of information assets and detecting signs of suspicious and unexpected behavior. Credential validation records events related to validation tests on credentials for a user account logon.

Fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Advanced Audit Policy Configuration >> System Audit Policies >> Object Access >> "Audit File System" with "Failure" selected.