Title

The computer account password is prevented from being reset. (Cat III impact)

Discussion

As a part of Windows security, computer account passwords are changed automatically. Enabling this policy to disable automatic password changes can make the system more vulnerable to malicious access. Frequent password changes can be a significant safeguard for your system. If this policy is disabled, a new password for the computer account will be generated every week.

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 “Domain Member: Disable Machine Account Password Changes” is not set to “Disabled”, then this is a finding. The policy referenced configures the following registry value: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters\ Value Name: DisablePasswordChange Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0

Fix Text

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> “Domain Member: Disable Machine Account Password Changes” to “Disabled”.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-1165r1_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-1165

Group Title: Computer Account Password Reset

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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