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WN22-AC-000090 Windows Server 2022 reversible password encryption must be disabled.

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

Maps to IA-5(1) via CCI-004062, CCI-000196

Title

Windows Server 2022 reversible password encryption must be disabled.

Control

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

Discussion

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.

Related controls

CCI-000196, CCI-004062

Fix

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