1.96 WN19-CC-000020

Information

Windows Server 2019 must have WDigest Authentication disabled.

GROUP ID:V-205687
RULE ID:SV-205687r958478

When the WDigest Authentication protocol is enabled, plain-text passwords are stored in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), exposing them to theft. WDigest is disabled by default in Windows Server 2019. This setting ensures this is enforced.

Solution

Configure the policy value for

Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> MS Security Guide >> 'WDigest Authentication (disabling may require KB2871997)' to 'Disabled'.

This policy setting requires the installation of the SecGuide custom templates included with the STIG package. 'SecGuide.admx' and ' SecGuide.adml' must be copied to the \Windows\PolicyDefinitions and \Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US directories respectively.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/22176

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INTEGRITY

References: 800-53|SI-5

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: fe55d388b2bf8b3dde4f470694955e5768234f26cb4e7c76809d0a22cf1e1e82