Title

This check verifies that Windows is configured to have password protection take effect within a limited time frame when the screen saver becomes active. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

Allowing more than several seconds makes the computer vulnerable to a potential attack from someone walking up to the console to attempt to log onto the system before the lock takes effect.

Check Content

Analyze the system using the Security Configuration and Analysis snap-in. Expand the Security Configuration and Analysis tree view. Navigate to Local Policies -> Security Options. If the value for “MSS: (ScreenSaverGracePeriod) The time in seconds before the screen saver grace period expires (0 recommended)” is not set to “5” or less, then this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ Value Name: ScreenSaverGracePeriod Value Type: REG_SZ Value: 5 (or less)

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “MSS: (ScreenSaverGracePeriod) The time in seconds before the screen saver grace period expires (0 recommended)” to “5” or less.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-4442r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-4442

Group Title: Screen Saver Grace Period

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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