Detections
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18.4.5 Ensure 'WDigest Authentication' is set to 'Disabled'

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Information

When WDigest authentication is enabled, Lsass.exe retains a copy of the user's plaintext password in memory, where it can be at risk of theft. If this setting is not configured, WDigest authentication is disabled in Windows 8.1 and in Windows Server 2012 R2; it is enabled by default in earlier versions of Windows and Windows Server.

For more information about local accounts and credential theft, review the 'Mitigating Pass-the-Hash (PtH) Attacks and Other Credential Theft Techniques' documents.

For more information about UseLogonCredential, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 2871997: Microsoft Security Advisory Update to improve credentials protection and management May 13, 2014.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled.

Rationale:

Preventing the plaintext storage of credentials in memory may reduce opportunity for credential theft.

Impact:

None - this is also the default configuration for Windows 8.1 and newer.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration, set the following Device Configuration Policy to Disabled:

To access the Device Configuration Policy from the Intune Home page:

Click Devices

Click Configuration profiles

Click Create profile

Select the platform (Windows 10 and later)

Select the profile (Administrative Templates)

Click Create

Enter a Name

Click Next

Enter the Details below

Path: Computer Configuration/MS Security Guide
Setting Name: WDigest Authentication (disabling may require KB2871997)
Setting: Disabled

Select OK

Continue through the Wizard to complete the creation of the profile (profile assignments, applicability etc.)

Note: More than one configuration setting from each of the Configuration profiles (ex: Administrative Templates, Custom etc.) can be added to each Device Configuration Policy.

Default Value:

On Windows 8.0 and older: Enabled. (Lsass.exe retains a copy of the user's plaintext password in memory, where it is at risk of theft.)

On Windows 8.1 and newer: Disabled. (Lsass.exe does not retain a copy of the user's plaintext password in memory.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/14355

Item Details

References: CSCv7|16.4

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 9dc122c827395d02e6facdd6c46ead0ab10a80e005d0e7361f965757ad82c914