2.3.8.3 Ensure 'Microsoft network client: Send unencrypted password to third-party SMB servers' is set to 'Disabled'

Information

This policy setting determines whether the SMB redirector will send plaintext passwords during authentication to third-party SMB servers that do not support password encryption.

It is recommended that you disable this policy setting unless there is a strong business case to enable it. If this policy setting is enabled, unencrypted passwords will be allowed across the network.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled.

Rationale:

If you enable this policy setting, the server can transmit passwords in plaintext across the network to other computers that offer SMB services, which is a significant security risk. These other computers may not use any of the SMB security mechanisms that are included with Windows Server 2003.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Disabled:

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Microsoft network client: Send unencrypted password to third-party SMB servers

Impact:

None - this is the default behavior.

Some very old applications and operating systems such as MS-DOS, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, and Windows 95a may not be able to communicate with the servers in your organization by means of the SMB protocol.

Default Value:

Disabled. (Plaintext passwords will not be sent during authentication to third-party SMB servers that do not support password encryption.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2700

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-5, CSCv6|13

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: cc179bdd7265ad9bccf6b1d3a2b71922479655a0dbb2d9c7dcab353de0f6f303