Microsoft Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2022 reversible password encryption must be disabled

STIG ID: WN22-AC-000090 |   SRG: SRG-OS-000073-GPOS-00041 |   Severity: High |   CCI: CCI-004062,CCI-000196 |   Vulnerability ID: V-254293

Description

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

C-57778r848693_chk

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.TxtIf "ClearTextPassword" equals "1" in the file, this is a finding.

Fix

F-57729r848694_fix

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