Detections
Analytics

2.2.19 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.

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.

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.

Caution: Configuring a standalone (non-domain-joined) or a system hosted in the Cloud (Azure) as described above (Local account) will result in an inability to remotely administer the workstation.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/26296

Item Details

Category: ACCESS CONTROL, AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

References: 800-53|AC-2, 800-53|AC-3, 800-53|AC-6, 800-53|AC-6(1), 800-53|AC-6(7), 800-53|AU-9(4)

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: f3bca701facf5e6ccda6c19eab392f6d4ac502f382d7bd4284c87fef395794cc