Detections
Analytics

2.2.20 Ensure 'Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services' to include 'Guests, Local account'

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Information

This policy setting determines whether users can log on as Remote Desktop clients.

After the baseline workstation is joined to a domain environment, there is no need to use local accounts to access the workstation from the network.

Domain accounts can access the workstation for administration and end-user processing.

This user right supersedes the 'Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right if an account is subject to both policies.

The recommended state for this setting is to include: 'Guests, Local account'.

Caution:
 Configuring a standalone (non-domain-joined) workstation as described above may result in an inability to remotely administer the workstation.

Note: The security identifier 'Local account' is not available in Windows 7 and Windows 8.0 unless [MSKB 2871997](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2871997) has been installed.

Note #2:
 In all versions of Windows prior to Windows 7,
Remote Desktop Services
 was known as
Terminal Services
, so you should substitute the older term if comparing against an older OS.

Rationale:

Any account with the right to log on through Remote Desktop Services could be used to log on to the remote console of the computer.

If this user right is not restricted to legitimate users who need to log on to the console of the computer, unauthorized users might download and run malicious software that elevates their privileges.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to include 'Guests, Local account':

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment\Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services

Impact:

If you assign the 'Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services' user right to other groups, you could limit the abilities of users who are assigned to specific administrative roles in your environment.

Accounts that have this user right will be unable to connect to the computer through either Remote Desktop Services or Remote Assistance.

You should confirm that delegated tasks will not be negatively impacted.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/1933

Item Details

Category: ACCESS CONTROL

References: 800-53|AC-6(7), CCE|CCE-33787-3, CSCv6|16

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 2f5ed2e78422a64f12acda8372cb63a52d93b1ad1d8eae89164e119405890eee