Microsoft Windows Server 2019

Windows Server 2019 must prevent local accounts with blank passwords from being used from the network

STIG ID: WN19-SO-000020 | SRG: SRG-OS-000480-GPOS-00227 | Severity: High | CCI: CCI-000366 | Vulnerability ID: V-205908

Description

An account without a password can allow unauthorized access to a system as only the username would be required. Password policies should prevent accounts with blank passwords from existing on a system. However, if a local account with a blank password does exist, enabling this setting will prevent network access, limiting the account to local console logon only.

Check

C-6173r356086_chk)

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding:Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\Value Name: LimitBlankPasswordUseValue Type: REG_DWORDValue: 0x00000001 (1)

Fix

F-6173r356087_fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only" to "Enabled".