BaselineWatch
Desk

WN11-SO-000025 The built-in guest account must be renamed.

DISA STIG library V2R11
All changes in this version
first version loaded CAT II

Maps to CM-6 via CCI-000366

Title

The built-in guest account must be renamed.

Control

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor. Run "gpedit.msc". Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options. If the value for "Accounts: Rename guest account" is set to "Guest", this is a finding.

Discussion

The built-in guest account is a well-known user account on all Windows systems and, as initially installed, does not require a password. This can allow access to system resources by unauthorized users. Renaming this account to an unidentified name improves the protection of this account and the system.

Related controls

CCI-000366

Fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> "Accounts: Rename guest account" to a name other than "Guest".