18.8.4.2 Ensure 'Remote host allows delegation of non-exportable credentials' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

Remote host allows delegation of non-exportable credentials. When using credential delegation, devices provide an exportable version of credentials to the remote host. This exposes users to the risk of credential theft from attackers on the remote host. The Restricted Admin Mode and Windows Defender Remote Credential Guard features are two options to help protect against this risk.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Note: More detailed information on Windows Defender Remote Credential Guard and how it compares to Restricted Admin Mode can be found at this link: Protect Remote Desktop credentials with Windows Defender Remote Credential Guard (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs

Rationale:

Restricted Admin Mode was designed to help protect administrator accounts by ensuring that reusable credentials are not stored in memory on remote devices that could potentially be compromised. Windows Defender Remote Credential Guard helps you protect your credentials over a Remote Desktop connection by redirecting Kerberos requests back to the device that is requesting the connection. Both features should be enabled and supported, as they reduce the chance of credential theft.

Impact:

The host will support the Restricted Admin Mode and Windows Defender Remote Credential Guard features.

Solution

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

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\System\Credentials Delegation\Remote host allows delegation of non-exportable credentials

Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template CredSsp.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 10 Release 1703 Administrative Templates (or newer).

Default Value:

Disabled. (Restricted Admin Mode and Windows Defender Remote Credential Guard are not supported. Users will always need to pass their credentials to the host.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3476

Item Details

Category: AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY, SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|AU-11, 800-53|SI-12, CSCv7|16.5

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 6be7e792bf0bce3ef95c60d5c62cd0784897b3af7a7123a8bcaf6c0be8448cdd